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Date: 9/13/2022
LUDLOW – The war in Ukraine may not be making as many headlines, but that doesn’t mean the need for humanitarian support has gone away.
In fact, with the conflict escalating further, even basic medical supplies are hard to find, and so the Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ludlow has put out the call to continue its collections.
This charitable effort began shortly after the war started, according to church member Melanie Trexler. Originally, it was going to be solely donations of money, but later on the church learned of the need for medical and family items.
“Everything is changing focus,” she said. “So, a lot of focus has gone away from the issues in Ukraine, which are still as important, if not more severe.”
Each of the church’s 20 parishioners have family or friends living in Ukraine, some fighting Russian forces on the front lines. Trexler’s two cousins and an uncle are among those, and she also has an aunt in Ukraine battling leukemia. Parishioners maintain contact through landlines or Facebook Messenger.
“Everyone has family and friends [in Ukraine],” she said.
Trexler said medical supplies are what is most needed now, but water purification tablets, ready-to-eat meals, fleece blankets, clothing, and rechargeable batteries are also on a list posted by the church. Monetary donations are also accepted to cover shipping costs or to purchase items not donated.
“These are simple things we take advantage of everyday,” said Trexler.
Members of local Scout troops, the Knights of Columbus and students from Boston, New Hampshire and New Jersey schools have volunteered to help with the packing. Once packaged, the items are shipped to the parish’s contacts in Ukraine to ensure they get to where they are needed as fast as possible.
“It’s not just being dropped off at the border and we don’t know where it’s going,” said Trexler. “We get pictures of the kids getting them.”
Trexler said that 900 boxes, each weighing 30 to 70 pounds – have been shipped since the collection began, with another 50 ready to go.
In the early days, the response was tremendous, according to Trexler. An Amazon delivery truck would stop by the church twice a day with items ordered for the collection, and a donation box outside the church had to be emptied several times a day.
Now however, the donation box only needs to be emptied once a week and the Amazon deliveries arrive every other week. Trexler understands that the war isn’t the biggest highlight, but stresses that the need is still just as strong.
“It’s just so heartwarming and unbelievable to feel that all this work that were doing is really doing good,” she said.
Donations can be dropped off at 45 Newbury St., or those interested in supporting the cause can call 583-2140.