UJA-JCC Greenwich raises money to help refugees
GREENWICH — Aid has been flowing steadily to Ukraine and the millions of refugees who have fled the war-torn nation, producing a vast amount of food, medical supplies and monetary contributions, with over $1.5 million from UJA-JCC Greenwich committed to the humanitarian project.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, local efforts have emerged to help, with a bake sale by a local teenager, a food packathon drive at Christ Church Greenwich, a collection of goods by a local resident and numerous other drives both large and small.
Now, the United Jewish Appeal/Jewish Community Center of Greenwich announced last week that it had raised $1.5 million.
A donor and organizer with UJA/JCC, Christine Toback, wrote on social media that she and others felt a sense of urgency. “There has not been a more devastating event in our history as the destruction of the Ukrainian people and Ukraine. This is the time to step up for others,” she said.
A $1 million gift was given by Jane and Stuart Weitzman, longtime Greenwich residents who are both famous for their work in the fashion industry. A Stuart Weitzman shoe store once operated on the corner of Lewis Street off Greenwich Avenue.
The Jewish aid and charity organization, which has an office on Holly Hill Lane, said the money would go quickly to work assisting the 5.8 million Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children, who have fled the attacking Russian forces. The organization has a longstanding affiliation with groups in Eastern Europe.
“Because they were already there, our partners were able to jump right in with relief and evacuation immediately once Ukraine was invaded,” the UJA/JCC said in a recent statement,
“The funds we raise via this campaign to assist Ukraine are being used strategically to provide critical housing, clothing, medication, cash assistance, mental health services, security and transportation for refugees fleeing the war, and for those seeking to make Aliyah (relocate) to Israel.”
The Jewish community in Ukraine was estimated to be about 200,000 people. The UJA/JCC is helping people of all religious faiths, the UJA/JCC said. The Greenwich organization is helping to support
medical professionals on the ground in Poland and Moldova that are treating large numbers of incoming refugees.
This spring, there have been numerous rallies in Greenwich by pro-Ukrainian activists, aiming to build public support for the Ukrainian people as well as to raise money for refugees and the embattled eastern European nation.
“The outpouring of support has been amazing from organizations and individuals as well,” said Jaroslaw Palylyk, a leader in the regional UkrainianAmerican community. The images of the destruction
across Ukraine and cruelty of Russian troops have moved millions of people around the world to act in support of Ukraine, he said.
“The sympathy being expressed by these donations is brought on by the terrorist, genocidal activities of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, his commanding generals and his army. Any normal human would feel sympathetic to these ungodly actions. Sincere appreciation is given to the amazing donations and work of volunteers here in the U.S. and around the world,” said Palylyk, president of the
Westchester branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and a resident of Rye, N.Y.
As Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo told a gathering of local residents at a pro-Ukraine rally at Town Hall in March, “Anything you can do to help these people will be greatly appreciated.”
The UJA/JCC campaign is ongoing. To make a donation for its Emergency Support of Ukraine, visit https://www.ujajcc.org/ index.php?src=forms& ref=Emergency_Ukraine.