Lyndora Hotel co-owner Laura Pawk Santoro poses with a “I Stand With Ukraine” T-shirt at the Lyndora Hotel in Butler Township on Wednesday. The restaurant was hosting a fundraiser including meals, T-shirts and raffles to benefit Ukrainians impacted by the Russian invasion. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

JOSEPH RESSLER

BUTLER — At 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Lyndora Hotel opened to customers for its Open Mic Night, offering takeout halupki, pierogies and kiffles, with proceeds being donated to those in Ukraine.

By 5:30 p.m., they were sold out of meals and “Stand With Ukraine” T-shirts, but people continued donating to the cause.

The fundraiser was intended by the restaurant owners to be a low-key affair for the community to contribute to Ukrainians affected by Russia’s invasion. In preparation, 650 halupki were made. A Facebook flyer advertising the food, T-shirts and the basket raffles promised at the event quickly circulated the website.

“The response from Butler has been incredible,” co-owner Mike Pawk said.

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