Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade Doubles As Ukraine Donation Drive

UNION COUNTY, NJ — As part of a county-wide donation drive, the Union County Prosecutor's Office and Police Department will be accepting supplies for Ukraine at the county's St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The St. Paddy's parade will take place on Saturday — starting at 1 p.m. at the corner of Caldwell and Morris Avenues in Union. The parade was postponed to this weekend due to stormy weather conditions.

Read more: 25th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade Coming To Union County

People attending the parade are encouraged to bring donations of first aid supplies, toiletries, flashlights, blankets, batteries, clothing, shoes, diapers, formula and more to support the people of Ukraine at this time.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, nearly 1.5 million Ukrainians have fled their homes, many leaving behind necessary supplies.

Donation boxes are currently dispersed throughout the lobbies of Union County law enforcement agencies, total 24 locations in total, and the county will continue its fundraising efforts at Saturday's parade.

The donation drive will run for the foreseeable future, as long as continued aid is needed. This drive is made possible through a partnership with law enforcement and local Polish and Ukrainian organizations.

“In support of the international effort to aid Ukraine, we encourage Union County residents to help ensure that life-sustaining emergency supplies reach those in desperate need of assistance,” Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams said.

Drop-off boxes remain available in the lobbies of the following police departments:

• Berkeley Heights
• Clark
• Cranford
• Fanwood
• Garwood
• Hillside
• Kenilworth
• Linden
• Mountainside
• New Providence
• Plainfield
• Rahway
• Roselle
• Roselle Park
• Scotch Plains
• Springfield
• Summit
• Union
• Westfield
• Winfield

Additional drop-off locations are available in the lobbies of the Union County Sheriff's Office, the Union County Police Department, the Kean University Police Department and the Union County Prosecutor's Office.