From a Globe and Mail story on the Ottawa Senators owner’s Ukrainian ties (h/t Travis Yost):
Melnyk's parents were born in Ukraine, and he's active in the Ukrainian-Canadian community, so the situation in Crimea is close to his heart. The whole Globe story is worth a look.
The helmet idea had come from HUHTC founder Ruslana Wrzesnewskyj, sister to former Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, who happened to be in Ukraine to disperse 35,000 donated shoes when the demonstrations erupted in Kiev. Melnyk, a HUHTC honorary director, had offered to foot the local distribution bill after a sponsor backed out.
“He picks his battles within the community: children’s and seniors’ issues,” Ms. Wrzesnewskyj said, noting the divorced father of two has over the years provided orphans with medical supplies such as antibiotics and deworming medicine.
With that said, the image of him sadly shaking his head in a room filled with tiny hockey helmets is very funny.
