Heavy bombing has repeatedly left millions Ukrainians in total darkness. SunLight Ukraine, a nonprofit organization, is shipping solar-powered lanterns to Ukraine that provide reliable light in homes and underground shelters. A large shipment of lanterns were recently distributed by a student-run volunteer organization at Ukrainian Catholic University. This delivery was financed by the Jamestown Ukraine Relief Project in Jamestown, Rhode Island, and coordinated by Paul Andrews, a new supporter of UCU Foundation and a recent attendee of the October San Francisco fundraiser.
In December, in a moving gesture of interfaith solidarity, the UCU students gave three Jewish communities lanterns to help them celebrate Hanukkah. Spokesperson Leonid Goldberg expressed his heartfelt thanks.
We just received a very lovely, valuable gift – solar lanterns – thanks to the coordination and intercession of Ukrainian Catholic University. In particular, I want to thank the University’s Vice-Rector Myroslav Marynovych who enabled us to receive these gifts in time for our very great holiday of Chanukah – the Festival of Lights. May the light of these lanterns help us all – the power of Light will always overcome the power of Darkness. We wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
In early January a new shipment of 1,000 solar-powered lanterns arrived at UCU. These will be distributed to Christian communities during the traditional door-to-door New Year visits of “koliaduvannia” and “shchedruvannia” throughout the Christmas season.
Thank you to all of the people and organizations who made this humanitarian relief effort possible!
