Forty-eight donors contributed to the Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation (UCU Foundation) during Giving Tuesday and raised $9,065!
The contributions were made via a Facebook fundraiser and through generous donations made through the foundation website. “We are extremely pleased and thankful for all of those who found it in their hearts to make a donation during the Giving Tuesday day of giving,” said Alexander Kuzma, Chief Development Officer. “These funds will help support our students and their community service activities which will directly impact the future of Ukraine.”
Here are just a few of the dedicated people and important projects for Ukraine being done in the service of God.
- Oksana Bryndzak, a graduate of the Clinical Psychology program at UCU and founder and head of the NGO Old Age for Joy.
“I saw that around us there are many elderly who need our help and support. Through the creation of my NGO, Old Age for Joy, I am able to help geriatric patients with their comfort and well-being. I see the social projects at UCU as a significant driving force for change in Ukraine.”
- Anastasia Slyusarenko, a graduate of the master’s program of Lviv Business School of UCU, and co-founder of the NGO “Plate.”
“I was concerned about the environmental and social problems of Ukrainians – I saw that people in Lviv were going hungry and food was going to waste. It was with this in mind that I created my NGO “Plate,” the first food bank in Ukraine. Our organization saves food from restaurants and supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste and distributes that food to people in need. We are not only providing nourishment to those in need, but we are also reducing the level of organic waste in our country. Plate helps me to fulfill my duty to help others and to follow UCU’s call to serve.”
- Student Charity Center
- Founded in 1999 by UCU student Olha Bosak, the center began when students started traveling to orphanages in the towns of Lavriv and Dobromyl. In Ukrainian, the center is called “Vidlunnya,” which means “echo,” as the students considered their work to be an “echo,” or a response, to social problems.
- Vidlunnya coordinates student volunteers at various charitable institutions. They also distribute lunch to the homeless, and volunteer at the Ukrainian Association of the Blind, where, together with other members of the organization, they prepare audio recordings of books for people with visual disabilities. The center also organizes training for prospective volunteers. Vidlunnya plays an important role in UCU’s call to serve.
Giving Tuesday is one day on the calendar. The UCU Foundation supports students year-round.
Donors who support the UCU Foundation help students, faculty, and leadership meet their educational and financial challenges. If you haven’t already, please consider contributing as we continue our successes as the premier Catholic educational institution in Ukraine.
To make a donation please visit https://ucufoundation.org/donate/.
