Mercy is a tremendous force that binds and unites people. Mercy makes blood kinship stronger and friendships more dedicated. Only mercy can close the eyes to the physical defects and bad character of people. And mercy can be greeted with every living creature only because it is the creature of the Creator.
Mother Teresa
One year has passed since our parishioners supported the initiative of collecting and sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine. This action has brought together a great team of volunteers.
During this time, we were able to give a little more joy, kindness and care to people in Ukraine. The prior month was no exception. Our church sent the collected goods to the addresses where they are waiting for help and much needed support.
In this piece, we would like to tell you about those who received our help and are very grateful to everyone who has so generously donated these items.
The children in the rehabilitation center are in constant need of extraneous care, because early on, they have lived with difficulties and for various reasons, have been deprived of their parents’ care. And every time we give the children gifts, such as; clothes, toys, books, candy, medicine, hygiene products, we show them that there is good in the world and it is not only for the elite, but for them, as well. Here’s what the teacher from this center Snezhana Strembitska wrote on Facebook: “On behalf of the boys’ Center, Maxim, Oleh, Volodymyr (pictured), I want to express my deep gratitude to all those who, at least for a moment, made these friends – who love soccer, very happy! Every day the boys play soccer. How much joy was in their eyes when they got the leg guards! Thank you! “(These words of gratitude go to the family of Andriy Rivnyy);” Thank you to everyone who has joined together in this wonderful cause. You should have seen how the children were delighted with the sweets, clothes and toys, especially the boys, when they received a great amount of cars! The children know that these gifts have come from far away to reach their hands. Thank you !!! “(for these hospitality, sincere gratitude to the families of Bohdan Kurt, Christina Nestoriak).
- Throughout Ukraine there are houses for the elderly, unfortunately, in such institutions there are many who have no relatives from whom they can expect help. In their old age they are forced to hope for support from kinds strangers. In the front-line area, such pensioners and other low-income people are taken care of by Bishop Serhei, the Director of the Donetsk Eparchy of the UOC-KP. Each time he receives our parcels, he sends them to their destination. In March, diapers, diapers for adults, and sweets were sent to the House of Mercy to help the elderly. (These items were donated by Maria Kinyuk and Nila Chejlyk)
- In addition to public institutions, we try to provide targeted assistance. In April, the children from the Holy Ascension Society donated toys to the children of the newest Heroes of Ukraine, who defended our country.
Beautiful dolls for the daughters of soldiers that were killed in action:
Oleksiy Shepelyuk, left 5 children behind. (Major, commander of the anti-aircraft battery of the 51st individual mechanized brigade (Volodymyr-Volynsky).
August 25, 2014 – Killed in battle for Ilovaisk (Donetsk region). The 3rd battalion of the brigade was surrounded near Berezne, Olenivka, under permanent artillery fire. During the tank and artillery attacks of Russian militants under Ilovajsk and Starobeshev and the raid on the RSZV “Grad” on August 25-26, dozens of servicemen of the 51st crew were killed and captured.
Vasyl Kasyan (volunteer of Azov regiment, died on November 12, 2015 in Mariupol);
Also, small gifts were given to the sons of Kostyusyuk Alexander (the officer-anti-aircraft gunman from the 51st brigade, his name was on the lists of the dead. Despite the evil suffered for all the deaths, Alexander survived. After spending four months locked up in Donetsk SBU, he remained loyal to the oath).
We always try to support and help the young man Nazar Datsyuk, who is bedridden. Seven years ago, Nazar lost his ability to walk. After an accident, he sustained a serious injury which caused damage to his spinal cord. Nazar’s mother died four years ago, and his father has another family. This young bedridden man, an invalid of the first group. His grandmother ceras about him.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all who are constantly involved in this good cause!
