Atlanta helps Ukraine
Residents in Atlanta, particularly these initially from Ukraine, have been gathering every week to search out methods to assist the Ukrainian folks as Russia continues its invasion.
ATLANTA – The previous 52 days have been anxiousness ridden for these with family members residing in Ukraine.
“Each morning I simply ship a message and ask are you continue to alive, that is the very best query I can ask,” Olga Gorman mentioned.
The moments she waits for her brother to answer to her message are agony.00
Whereas the previous a number of weeks have been heart-wrenching, time surrounding what is usually a joyous vacation is tough for a lot of.
“Folks haven’t got the flexibility this time to go to church, to organize for the vacations. I can not say that that is the worst factor. We have now a lot worse conditions in Mariupol, in Kharkiv the place folks cannot exit, they’re simply making an attempt to outlive to the subsequent day. So we won’t speak about any sort of celebration, we’re speaking about survival. Pure survival for a lot of cities in Ukraine,” Mila Zapukhliak mentioned.
“This weekend undoubtedly does not really feel celebratory. What we might sometimes do on Easter, do the egg hunt for the youngsters and all of that. It is undoubtedly not on my thoughts. I barely even remembered it was Easter. All of my ideas are with Ukraine and what’s taking place there.” Olga Antonyuk mentioned.
Many Ukrainians in Atlanta are doing what they’ll to assist by elevating funds to ship to organizations serving to in Ukraine, and by elevating consciousness in the neighborhood.
On Saturday, an occasion was held to help Ukraine in Future Atlanta in Underground Atlanta. The organizers didn’t have private ties however felt compelled to get entangled.
“I needed to indicate the state and the nation that this is not a difficulty that’s out of sight, out of thoughts. I needed to deliver the fantastic thing about Ukraine, its historical past, its tradition, artwork, the folks right here. To indicate these are actual folks being killed. Actual harmless males, ladies, and kids,” Chase Staub mentioned.
“We needed to do one thing extra. Extra, not only for the folks in our nation, however the folks the world over,” Ronnie Medina Jr. mentioned.
State Senator Nan Orrock additionally attended the fundraiser on Saturday. She mentioned it is necessary for native leaders in Georgia to be concerned.
“Elected officers in the USA and elected officers right here in Georgia ought to stand collectively, embrace the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine, and struggle for democracy.” State Senator Orrock mentioned.
The group help has been an enormous assist.
“If all of us ship our love, assist, cash, donations, it helps. Solely collectively can we assist,” Nataliia Onyskiv mentioned. Onyskiv is the President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee’s Georgia Department. She says their group has raised greater than 200 thousand {dollars}. A lot of the cash has been devoted to purchasing medical tools for these in want in Ukraine.
Regardless of the ache this 12 months, there’s a whole lot of hope as properly.
“So as an alternative of being unhappy, we’re simply shifting our anger to mentally full the image of what’s ready for Ukraine. So we’ll have fun, we’ll have fun it,” Ira Ponomaroea mentioned.
If you wish to study extra about how one can get entangled, you’ll be able to go to UkranianAtlanta.org.
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