Westfield Shows Support For Ukraine: Vigil + Donation Drive

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield is standing in solidarity with Ukraine by hosting a community vigil and collecting a variety of supplies to donate to Ukrainian children in need.

The vigil will take place on Thursday in Mindowaskin Park at 6 p.m. At the event, the Westfield Clergy Association will be collecting essential items for children, as well as notes to show that Westfield residents are thinking of them.

People can donate the following supplies:

• Baby formula (dry)
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Small blankets
• Protein bars
• Notes to give the children

Mayor Shelley Brindle also shared many organizations that Westfield residents can donate funds to and show their support for. She said several Ukrainian-American Westfield residents and other local volunteers helped to create this list.

• Be the Change: https://www.bethechangenj.org

This non-profit is currently gathering medical supplies, items for children, and toiletries to air ship to Poland through their Amazon wish list.

• Big Dreams Children's Foundation: http://www.bigdreamscf.org/

A US-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) helping children in need around the world since 2013, and starting a new mission in Ukraine to provide groceries and necessities to the residents of the City of Kharkiv.

• Come Back Alive: https://www.comebackalive.in.ua/

Since its formation in 2014, this Ukraine-based NGO has become the largest foundation providing support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by funding purely defensive initiatives. Their mission is to supply technology, training, and ammunition to help save the lives of Ukrainians and help their soldiers defend Ukraine

• International Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Fund: https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine

The International Committee of the Red Cross remains active in Ukraine, saving and protecting the lives of victims of armed conflict and violence. Their neutral and impartial humanitarian action supports the most vulnerable people

• Leleka Foundation: https://leleka.care/

A US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit raising funds for various medical and social projects in Ukraine, especially providing supplies to ambulances, paramedics, and hospitals

• Nova Ukraine: https://novaukraine.org/

This charity provides humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups and individuals in Ukraine. It raises awareness about Ukraine in the United States and throughout the world and supports Ukraine in its effort to build a strong civil society, to reform its educational system, and to eliminate corruption.

• Razom for Ukraine: https://razomforukraine.org/

A US non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, specializing in tactical medicine and equipment/supplies for hospitals.

• Revived Soldiers of Ukraine: https://www.rsukraine.org/

• Spirit of America: https://spiritofamerica.org/

This non-profit works closely with US military and State Department personnel in Poland to meet the urgent needs of Ukraine’s Armed Forces on the front lines. They provide medical supplies, first aid kits, and medical equipment for Ukrainian soldiers and field medical personnel to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees who have escaped to safety in Poland

• Sunflower of Peace: https://www.sunflowerofpeace.com/

This nonprofit organization is raising money to provide medical and humanitarian aid that will be used by the paramedics and doctors in the areas that are affected by the violence in Ukraine. They are acquiring and distributing first-aid backpacks, medicine, medical instruments, and other means of survival that are saving hundreds of lives

• The $1K Project: https://www.1kproject.org/

The $1K Project Ukraine is a volunteer based effort to directly connect sponsors in the USA and around the world to help Ukrainian families impacted by the war. Sponsors fill out a short application and are then matched with a family in need and instructions for how to directly send them relief

• The Ukrainian National Women's League of America: https://unwla.org/top-news/call-for-humanitarian-aid/

This organization is collecting donations to help civilians inside Ukraine who have been displaced or injured. The UNWLA was established in 1925 to unite women of Ukrainian descent or affiliation to preserve their ethnic identity and cultural heritage within a framework of volunteer humanitarian endeavors

The Ukrainian Institute of London also has an additional list of organizations in need of donations: https://ukrainianinstitute.org.uk/russias-war-against.../

• United Help Ukraine, Inc: https://unitedhelpukraine.org/

A US-based non-profit 501(c)(3) receiving and distributing donations, food and medical supplies directly to the people of Ukraine affected by war.

• United Ukrainian American Relief Committee: https://www.uuarc.org/

The UUARC has been providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine since 1944. Donations will be used to purchase medical supplies and equipment and sent to their volunteer network in Ukraine

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.

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