$ 228,226 to help flood victims in Ukraine raised during Philadelphia Metropolia charity campaign
Bishop Andriy Rabiy, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archepachy of Philadelphia, organizer, and curator of the flood relief project to help people in the Ivano-Frankivsk Archepachy, Kolomyia and Chernivtsi Eparchies, presented the final report on the collection which took place in the Metropolia of Philadelphia from June 26 to December 31, 2020. This campaign thanks to social media engaged donors from all over the world, not only from the United States.
“This report is a story of sincerity, generosity, and the incredible kindness of Ukrainians by birth or in heart, scattered around the world, and people of goodwill who responded to the call of His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav – “Let us help!”, says bishop Andriy Rabiy. With the blessing of the UCC bishops in the United States collections were set up and organized online (via the social network FACEBOOK), in parishes of the Philadelphia Metropolia, among Ukrainian organizations, monastic orders, and private individuals that brought in $228,126.
These funds were divided between the eparchial “Caritas” organizations in the Ivano-Frankivsk Archeparchy, the Kolomyia and Chernivtsi eparchies, and which, in turn, have provided targeted assistance to the victims. “I want to thank every donor for their generosity”, noted bishop Andriy.
Through the Facebook campaign, it was possible to raise $ 49,457. Individuals donated another $ 56,052. Religious congregations and Ukrainian organizations have given $ 40,850 while collections in the parishes of the Metropolita allowed us to raise $ 81,867.
“This report is a reflection on the preaching of the gospel of Christ in practical dimensions, as in the parable of the Good Samaritan. This way of preaching touches and changes everyone’s heart. This must be the best part of this project to help the affected by floods people in Ukraine”, summed up auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia Archeparchy.
Bishop Andriy thanked the leaders and employees of the eparchial departments of Caritas-Ukraine, who made every effort to ensure that the generous help of brothers and sisters from all over the world reached those who needed it as soon as possible. It should be noted that floods have caused significant destruction and damage in fairly poor mountainous regions.
