Philadelphia Area Rotary Clubs Raise $100k for Ukraine Relief

More than $100,000 has been raised by 50 local Rotary Clubs in the Delaware Valley to help Ukrainians suffering from the war with Russia.

Money raised is the result of generous donations to a special fund combined with the recent “United with Ukraine” fundraiser. The June 14th event was a big success thanks to ticket sales, sponsorships, and the live and silent auctions.  

“Thanks to a wonderful team and tremendous support from fellow Rotary members and friends, we have raised more than $100,000 to date to help deliver much needed supplies to Ukrainian refugees in Poland and Ukrainians in their war torn country,” said Joan Batory, Chair Ukrainian Relief Committee.

The event was an extension of the original fundraising initiative to help Ukraine that began shortly after the war broke out. All proceeds from the evening go to the Ukrainian Relief Fund of the Gundaker Foundation of Rotary District 7450. From there, the funds get sent to a special account in Poland used by local aid workers to respond to the needs of Ukrainians now in Poland and those still in their homeland.  

Watch the Touching Origin Story

"I was overwhelmed to witness how much our fellow Rotarians and even friends outside of the organization went above and beyond to support this cause through their exceedingly generous donations," said Ken Myers, Ukrainian Relief Committee member.

The event, held at Lia’s Catering, The Ballrooms at Boothwyn, was highlighted by Slavic cuisine, Ukrainian music, Polka dancing, and powerful speakers, Eugene Luciw, President of the Philadelphia branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and Michael Sawkiw, Jr., Executive Vice President of UCCA and Director of the Ukrainian National Information Service, the organization’s Washington D.C. bureau.

Luciw gave an informative and impassioned exposition of the unjust, barbaric and inhuman nature of Russia’s heavily armed attack on Ukraine and her people. He also placed Moscow’s brutality into geopolitical perspective and outlined the separate and distinct nature and history of the Ukrainian nation which goes back to the ninth century and pre-dates Russia’s beginnings by approximately 500 years.

Sawkiw shared his belief that the U.S. and its allies must provide even more military, economic and humanitarian help than they are currently. One of reasons he cited is that Ukraine is the “breadbasket” of Europe and the world. He said that Russia’s intentional interference with the production and shipping of Ukraine’s grain around the globe could readily cause a world-wide famine.

Rotary District 7450 Governor Roger Taylor emceed the evening.  Poland’s District Governor-Elect, Piotr Jankowski and Ukraine’s District Governor Volodymyr Bondarenko spoke on video, thanking attendees for their support but also pleading for more help.  “The war is far from over.  We have to buy a lot of food now to prepare for winter.” said Jankowski.

Eugene Luciw giving impassioned speech at United with Ukraine event

Performers Yuliya and Ihor

Rotary Governor Roger Taylor dancing with Greater West Chester Sunrise Rotary Club President Judy Curtin

Yuliya Stupen singing Ukrainian National Anthem as speakers hold flag

Luciw is also involved with planning a big Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival on August 28th in Horsham.  It will feature the beautiful singing of Yuliya Stupen who performed at our District's event.  You can learn more about the Ukrainian festival fundraiser by visiting Ukrainian Folk Festival 2022.  

Donations are still being accepted at Rotary District 7450 Gundaker Foundation Ukrainian Relief Fund. A big thanks goes out to all the Rotarians and friends who generously contributed to this fund and the Ukrainian Relief Committee for all their work to help relieve some of the suffering caused by the war. _________________________________________________________________________