SAUGUS – As war in Ukraine rages on, Belarus-Russian couple Dmitry and Svetlana Sevkovich have held their third fundraiser for a Ukrainian orphanage.
To keep local support for Ukraine strong, the couple continues to raise awareness of some of the vital survival essentials needed by the kids in the embattled nation.
Donations will be accepted through May 14.
For Svetlana, remaining uninvolved in aiding Ukraine proved impossible after she read news reports of Russia’s assault on Ukraine. If she could not go to Ukraine and help people there directly, she decided to help the only way she could – fundraising for them.
“The war became a magic kick in the butt for me,” she said. “Whining while doing nothing is not for me.”
Dmitry said everything that the Russian government did evoked an emotional response, having seen Russia’s influence in helping to keep his native country’s dictator in power.
“The people of Belarus and Ukraine are very close, and we stand together against the Russian government, but not the Russian people,” he said.
Saugus Selectman Corinne Riley was the first one to show up at the Sevkovichs’ yard sale on Saturday.
“I think it’s our little way to show support for the Ukrainian people,” said Riley. “It’s an unjust invasion, in my opinion, and when I saw a Facebook post (about the event), we got together many items to give.”
Shirley Bogdan, a treasurer of Peabody Veterans Council, said she participated in the event because of her friends who had family in Ukraine.
In addition to making donations, yard sale visitors could buy handmade candles ($10-$15) or bath salt ($5-$10), donated by one of the supporters of the event, or blue and yellow bracelets ($3-$5), key rings with Ukrainian flags ($3) or t-shirts ($17). Other than the handmade ones, the Sevkovichs ordered the items online.
“We calculated that we could give around $300 this time, but we wanted to make it more than just $300, and that’s why we decided to have a yard sale,” said Svetalana.
The funds gathered go to Jookender Community Initiatives – a Framingham-based nonprofit that unites individuals from Ukraine, Russia, and other ex-Soviet countries in one community. The organization will then ship donations directly to the Center for Assistance to the War Victims of Ukraine in Uzhgorod, where efforts are focused on working to evacuate orphanages from the war areas and provide food and shelter for those they can’t evacuate immediately.
According to the center, the items needed right away are vitamins, pain relievers, sleeping bags and pillows, towels, and underwear and socks for women and kids. Diapers, baby formula, snack bars, chicken soup cubes, tea bags, instant coffee, flashlights (solar-powered), phone charging cords for Android and Apple, solar power banks, and old smartphones in working condition are also needed. All medical supplies must be new and sealed.
Even just one item makes a difference for Ukraine now, said Svetlana.
“If everyone contributes a little, it will bring the day of the ultimate Ukrainian victory closer,” she said. “This is the least we can do.”
For more information, contact Svetalana Sevkovich at [email protected].
