BCS community raises thousands for Ukrainian relief
Kyiv is almost 5,000 miles from Butler, but Butler Catholic School is doing its part to support Ukraine.
Staff and students raised $2,800 in school Tuesday. Those funds have been matched through the generosity of an anonymous BCS family and donated to Sunflower of Peace.
Sunflower of Peace is a nonprofit based in Massachusetts. Founded in 2014 by a Ukrainian immigrant, it’s been raising money and resources for those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine, and sunflower oil is a major Ukrainian export.
The BCS mother whose family matched in-school donations said her family decided to help the organization raise money after hearing how the invasion has disrupted lives.
“We’re watching the coverage,” she said. “Our girls are old enough; they are watching the news.”
Seeing how many Ukrainian parents have stayed to fight Russia while making sure their children flee the country has particularly touched them.
“These families are being torn apart,” she said. “A lot of these families weren’t expecting this to happen.”
The BCS parent reached out to Sunflower of Peace to see which supplies BCS could send. Because of shipping delays, storage limitations and flight restrictions getting to Ukraine, nonprofit organizers suggested fundraising.
The parent explained the BCS community is glad to help however possible.
“We can all have great empathy for what is going on in Ukraine,” she said. “It’s important to get everyone involved.”
In conjunction with the $5,600 raised Tuesday in school and through the family match, BCS also raised $575 through online donations. This was matched by a separate anonymous BCS family for a total of $6,750.
The money has been sent to help refugees in Poland and Romania get items such as diapers and medical supplies. One hundred percent of the funds are going directly to helping those displaced by the invasion.
