As bad as things are now in Volgograd, I know that the Russian people as a whole will support those in need in their country with an out pouring of donations and generosity.

When I visited Russia this past summer I discovered a country with unprecedented close family ties.

I have no doubt that this will translate into helping those burned out by the fires.

Other benefits to appear soon will be the complete rebuilding of the Volgograd communities destroyed by the wildfires. This will enable these families to hopefully completely modernize their homes.

This in turn will benefit the entire Volgograd economy.

Things are at their worst now, but from the ashes a new Volgograd community will emerge. A community that is stronger, more resilient and more modern.

Part of my time in Russia this summer was spent in Volgograd visiting the incredible World War II memorial which includes the statue of Mother Russia. Then I had the opportunity to visit the Volgograd war museum. Here I discovered just how badly Volgograd was damaged during World War II. The destruction of Volgograd must have been close to 90% by the Nazi war machine.

70 years later Volgograd was a modern bustling city filled once again with happy families, children and tourists like myself.

The communities of Volgograd destroyed by the wildfires will be rebuilt better than ever. If I have learned anything from the citizens of Volgograd, they are some of the toughest and most resilient in the world. This does not make their current situation any easier. Everyone needs to help out.

For my own part, I am still trying to get the Canadian Government involved in a $100 million program to assist up to 500 Russian schools damaged by fire with a $100,000 art grant. The schools will be required to provide over a five year period 100,000 pieces of student artwork on three themes to promote their community, city, and Russia for tourism and new business opportunities.

1) What do the kids love about their community?
2) What do the kids love about their city?
3) What do the kids love about their country of Russia?
4) Draw it! Color it! Paint it!

So far the Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper has refused completely to acknowledge the project to help the Russian kids and schools affected by this summer's wild fires. It is an embarrassment for the Canadian people who take pride in helping others when disaster strikes. Without a doubt Stephen Harper will never be re-elected in Canada based on this very unCanadian callous and indifferent attitude towards the Russian people.

Arnold Vinette pledges to rebuild a house for an affected Russian family in Volgograd, but only on the condition that he gets to live there too. This will allow Arnold Vinette to continue his passion of publishing the artwork of Russian students and promoting their community, city and Russia for tourism.