Students and staff at Butler Catholic School raised $2,800 at the school Tuesday and donated it to Sunflower of Peace, a nonprofit gathering money and resources for those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Samatha Beal/For the Eagle

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.”

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