Nearly a million refugees have already left Ukraine. They often left quickly and took only what they could easily carry. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, the European Union expects anywhere from three to six million more to flee.
Many local schools, churches, and government offices are just getting their donation programs together to help the people in Ukraine, so this list is in development. For now, goods or money can be donated to Ukraine as follows:
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Riverhead (sjbucc.org/) is accepting donations of clothing, with an emphasis on winter wear. Medical supplies, including over-the-counter pain killers and first-aid kits, are also welcome. The Parish Rectory on Pond View Road is the drop-off location.
The church is also accepting monetary donations. Checks can be made out to St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church. In the memo section, write “Support of Ukraine.” Cash donations are welcome as well.
The church also pointed to a few online ways to support Ukraine. The bishops of the Metropolia of Philadelphia have created a special fund for “War Victims and Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine.” The fund can be accessed through the website of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia: ukrarcheparchy.us/donate.
Two other online aid avenues are offered by the Ukrainian Congress Committee. They can be accessed at these two websites: gofundme.com/f/humanitarian-aid-to-victims-of-war-in-ukraine and mightycause.com/story/M1wzpf.
The Rev. Ryan Creamer of Most Holy Trinity Church, 79 Buell Lane in East Hampton, is taking an extra collection for Ukrainian relief on Sunday. If you cannot attend Mass, the church will accept your donation at the office. If the office is closed, a mailbox is outside. Make sure you indicate that your donation is for Ukraine.
In addition, two local residents, Olga Trigubovich and her husband, Andrey, have arranged for a truck to pick up donated supplies at Most Holy Trinity. The truck will transport the goods to Manhattan, where they will be directly shipped to Ukraine. Drop-off times are today and tomorrow from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hygiene products, baby and toddler formula and canned goods, over-the-counter medical supplies and wound care items, winter clothing for kids and adults, batteries, flashlights, hand warmers, thermoses, and knee pads are among the suggested supplies.
In Sag Harbor, Temple Adas Israel has set up a PayPal site that will accept donations to help Jewish residents of Ukraine: paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WUQUSSRPZC7WL. Make sure you indicate “Ukraine Relief” in the drop-down box. The temple will send all donations, on behalf of the community, to the relief efforts of the Joint Distribution Committee; the World Union for Progressive Judaism, which is the international arm of Reform Judaism, and other organizations aiding Jewish families in Ukraine.
The Dormition of the Virgin Mary, the Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton (631-283-6169), is also accepting donations. “As a pastor, it’s really heartbreaking,” said Father Constantine Lazarakis. “Here at the church, we welcome both Russian Orthodox Christians and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians.”
Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming’s office has been in contact with Father Bohdan Hedz of St. John’s Ukrainian Church in Riverhead. Her office, at 78 Washington Street in Sag Harbor, will be a drop spot for donations to that church in the coming days. “We look forward to engaging community members to help stem the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. I am grateful to the generosity of the community for their efforts,” Ms. Fleming said.
