UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESS RELEASE
Parishes of the UOC of the USA Participate in Coats and Shoes Drive for Orphans
With the Blessing of the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, the faithful of our Church embarked this fall on a nationwide warm clothes drive for needy children in Ukraine.
Protection of the Birth-Giver of God Cathedral in Southfield, Michigan was one of the centers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA collecting, receiving and packaging coats and shoes. The clothing drive started slowly in the parish just outside Detroit, but, once the large box with the poster appeared in the parish hall, the interest grew.
The drive was further encouraged during the recent visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and His Grace Bishop Daniel to our parish who described the needs of these orphanages. One young man in our parish, who is a recent arrival from Ukraine, was so moved by the fact that our Church was spearheading this drive, asked for a few more days past our deadline to call his friends with children and solicit more donations – he came into the hall with 5 large bags of clothing just before our scheduled pickup.
The Parents’ Committee of the Lesia Ukrainka School of Religion and Ukrainian Studies and others pledged to pay a portion of the shipping fees to Ukraine. The early harsh winter in Ukraine has stimulated our efforts toward those in need, especially in Ukraine.
Many of the faithful at St. Mary’s in Southfield have asked that the parish sponsor more of these charitable endeavors in the future.
Moreover, with the blessing and participation of His Grace Bishop Daniel, the students of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Bound Brook, NJ packed and assisted the local NY/NJ/PA/CT parishes with the shipment of 1500 pounds of winter clothing to two orphanages in Ukraine. In addition, the seminarians send about 400 pounds of clothing to the needy of Buchach district, Ternopil region of Ukraine.
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