Two new local initiatives are working to provide humanitarian support in Ukraine and aid refugees from the war-torn nation who are living in or relocating to Centre County.
The Downtown State College Improvement District has launched Sunflower Solidarity with Ukraine, a partnership with merchants, local artists and community members to support efforts of humanitarian work on the ground in Ukraine and assist families displaced by the war that are living in Centre County. (Ukraine’s national flower is the sunflower.)
The monthlong initiative involves 24 local artists partnered with downtown businesses to create sunflower paintings on storefront windows to show solidarity with Ukraine, QR codes accompanying each display will link to World Central Kitchen’s website where donations can be made toward the food relief operation in Ukraine serving nearly 1 million meals a day. See the full list of businesses and artists on the DSCID website.
Cash donation boxes can be found during the month of August in several locations downtown, including the DSCID office, Kitchen Kaboodle, Growing Tree Toys, 3 Dots Downtown and Lion’s Pride.
DSCID is also partnering with Mid-State Literacy Council to host the Sunflower Solidarity Drive from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 13 at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza on South Fraser Street, where supply donations will be collected for local Ukrainian and other refugee families living in the area.
Because families settling into the area are in search of basic needs and school supplies, gift card donations are a priority. Organizers suggest $25 gift cards from location including Rapid Transit, Walmart, Target, Amazon, Sheetz, CATA, Uber, Goodwill, Staples and grocery stores. Other items needed include food, baby items, transportation, sports equipment, new clothing and new shoes.
“We stand with the people of Ukraine and want to show our solidarity in a meaningful way that will aide those displaced by the war,” DSCID Executive Director Lee Anne Jeffries said in a statement. “Your donations to World Central Kitchen and to local refugee families living without basic needs are greatly appreciated.”
Centre Coalition for Ukraine
A separate effort is the Centre Coalition for Ukraine, a group of local business, education, medical and mental health professionals that is working to raise funds and find community resources to assist refugees in temporarily relocating to the State College area.
The group is working with the California-based non-profit group Ukraine Now to identify Ukrainian refugees who recently moved to the United States and are in need of housing, food, medical care and mental health resources, according to a news release.
Ukraine Now was created by Artur Kiulian, a Ukrainian immigrant to the United States who is working with the U.S Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department to assist Ukrainian refugees in obtaining U.S. travel visa applications and access to government services.
Case managers from Ukraine Now will help to identify refugees now living in U.S. shelters to relocate to the Centre Region once housing and critical services are secured. Organizers are currently seeking monetary donations and housing options for individuals and families.
Leaders of the Centre Coalition for Ukraine include Erin Crown, managing member of Oasis LifeCare and president of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative; Jamison Malcolm, ministry leader of The Nittany Church; Happy Valley Brewing Company owner Greg Somers; retired Penn State administrator Philip Burlingame; and Dr. Henry Cramer.
“What has happened in Ukraine is devastating,” said Crown, the coalition’s chairperson. “It will be important for those involved to understand that Ukrainians have been traumatized. We will need to address their needs with that in mind. I’m honored to be part of this effort and am confident that the individuals and families coming to Centre County will be met with compassion and support. I am thankful that we live in a community that not only has resources to share, but an openness to do so.”
The group is partnering with student leaders from the Penn State Ukrainian Society to provide cultural resources and support.
“Sadly, as time has passed, the tragedy of war in Ukraine has faded out of perception as people focus on the normalcy of their day-to-day lives,” said Ukrainian Society President Maria Smereka Hladio, whose family immigrated to the United State in 2000. “Ukrainians do not have that luxury. Innocent people are still being targeted by the Russian military and millions have been displaced from their homes. Those who have managed to escape are desperately seeking safe haven for themselves and for their families. Here in the Centre Region, we must come together and recognize the urgency of these needs as a community and do our part to help those who are suffering.”
The first day collecting donations for the effort saw a $10,000 pledge from the George Woskob family, according to organizers. Malcolm said the initiative has even received donations from three young children who each gave $1 from their personal allowance.
Donations can be made through the nonprofit Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative’s website at www.pamhi.org.
Information about potential housing options for refugees can be emailed to the Centre Coalition for Ukraine at Coalition4Ukraine@gmail.com.
