In the charming town of Ituna, Saskatchewan, something extraordinary has been happening every Tuesday for the past two decades. A dedicated group of volunteers, affectionately known as the "perogy ladies," gather to create thousands upon thousands of traditional Ukrainian dumplings—and in doing so, they're preserving much more than just a recipe.

The magnificent Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church stands as a proud landmark in this town of 700 residents. Built in the 1960s during a time when the church overflowed with hundreds of parishioners, it represents the deep Ukrainian roots of this prairie community. Eighty-five-year-old Nettie Lutz remembers when the church was so packed during Easter and Christmas that extra chairs filled every available space, with some worshippers even standing outside.

When the church began needing repairs about 20 years ago, the community faced a challenge. But rather than watching their beloved building fall into disrepair, these remarkable volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work—literally rolling dough for what would become one of Saskatchewan's most heartwarming fundraising efforts.

The numbers tell an incredible story: volunteers estimate they've made as many as a million perogies since the project began, possibly even more. This year alone, they produced 70,000 of the beloved dumplings. People drive hours from surrounding areas to pick up bags of these handmade treasures, and the reputation of Ituna's perogies has spread far and wide.

"Best perogies in the world and the best people making them," Lutz says with unmistakable pride, surveying the 30 volunteers gathered for another perogy-making session. The work is painstaking—each dumpling rolled, stuffed, and pinched by hand—but it's clearly a labor of love.

For Taras Korchinski, another dedicated volunteer approaching 80, the perogy project represents something profound. "It's kind of important to keep your own culture alive, you know; otherwise it's going to get lost," he explains. The connection to Ukrainian heritage feels especially meaningful given recent global events, and these volunteers are determined to honor their ancestry through action.

The fundraising efforts support not only the Ukrainian Catholic Church but also the local Roman Catholic church, demonstrating how this project has united the entire community around a common cause. It's a beautiful example of how small-town volunteerism can achieve remarkable things.

While Korchinski and Lutz acknowledge they won't be able to continue making perogies forever, they take comfort in knowing their efforts have already secured their place in Ituna's history. "History is history. That doesn't change," Korchinski reflects.

This story isn't just about preserving a building—it's about community members choosing to come together week after week, year after year, to protect something they love. It's about hands working in unison, pinching dough and sharing stories. It's about ensuring that future generations will drive past that magnificent church and know that their community cared enough to save it.

In Ituna, the mighty perogy has proven that with dedication, teamwork, and a whole lot of love, a small group of people can accomplish extraordinary things. One million perogies at a time.