Taras Jackiw

The Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada (UWVA), now the Association of Ukrainian Canadian Veterans (AUCV), is honoured to nominate Taras Jackiw for the UCC OPC Excellence in Volunteerism Award (Adult) in recognition of his exceptional, lifelong commitment to volunteer service and leadership within the Canadian Ukrainian community.

Mr. Jackiw has devoted more than forty years of uninterrupted volunteer service, beginning in the mid 1980s and continuing actively today. His depth of involvement reflects a true lifelong devotion to community service, built on responsibility, integrity, and a strong sense of duty to both veterans and the broader Ukrainian Canadian community.

He currently holds several senior volunteer leadership positions concurrently, including Director and Treasurer of the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada (AUCV), Branch President of the UWVA Toronto Branch, Chair of the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal Committee, Chair of the Pro Patria Ukraine Fund, and Chair of the Ukrainian Credit Union Limited – Hamilton Advisory Council. In addition, Mr. Jackiw continues to volunteer his expertise as a member and chair of audit committees for national and international organizations, providing independent oversight, financial accountability, and governance leadership for community institutions.

As Chair of the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal Committee, Mr. Jackiw leads a nationally significant initiative that honours Canadian citizens who were killed or wounded while defending Ukraine. Under his stewardship, this initiative has become a structured, dignified, and well governed national program that provides meaningful recognition to families across Canada and strengthens collective remembrance within the Canadian Ukrainian community.

As Chair of the Pro Patria Ukraine Fund, Mr. Jackiw plays a critical role in ensuring that funds raised by the community are responsibly managed and directed to support soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, particularly during the ongoing full scale war. His disciplined approach ensures transparency, donor confidence, and tangible humanitarian impact.

Beyond individual initiatives, Mr. Jackiw’s long standing voluntary service on audit committees and advisory councils has contributed significantly to institutional continuity, financial integrity, and public trust across multiple Ukrainian Canadian and international organizations. His leadership style is collaborative, principled, and steady—qualities especially valued during periods of organizational transition and sensitive national initiatives.

In recognition of his outstanding service and dedication, Mr. Jackiw is a recipient of the UWVA Knight’s Cross, one of the Association’s highest honours.

Through his longevity of service, demonstrable community impact, sustained leadership, and unwavering commitment to volunteerism, Taras Jackiw exemplifies Excellence in Volunteerism. The Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada is proud to nominate and strongly support him for this distinguished award.