The world has recently been gripped by the news of the Feb. 24 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This reportedly unprovoked and violent attack has left many wondering what they can do to help.

Bethlehem held a solidarity gathering and prayer vigil March 9 at Payrow Plaza on Church Street. Moravian University held a similar event in conjunction with the city’s gathering.

The lights in Downtown Allentown have been lit up yellow and blue to show support for the Ukrainian people.

Local area churches and other organizations are holding donation drives and fundraising efforts to assist the Ukrainian people.

Northampton Borough’s Assumption of the Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church and St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church are collecting to support humanitarian efforts. Visit holyassumption.org and/or ukrarcheparchy.us to learn how to contribute.

Also, Assumption church is selling pierogies March 17 and 31 and April 14 and 28. Proceeds from these sales will be donated to help Ukraine.

St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Allentown, is partnering with Chick-fil-A on MacArthur Road in Whitehall to collect socks for those in need. If you bring a new pair of socks to Chick-fil-A, you will receive a coupon for a free menu item. Socks for men, women and children are requested. The socks will be sent via the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America.

St. Mary’s has also collected generators and tactical and medical supplies.

A number of congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including the Whitehall congregation, collected 9,086 pounds of hygiene items, nonperishable food, bedding and baby and medical supplies. In total, 429 boxes were packed on pallets and prepared for shipment to Poland, where they will be transported across the border into Ukraine.

One of the best things, in my opinion, to come out of today’s technology-driven era, is out-of-the-box thinking. One such example is people paying for Airbnb rentals in Ukraine who have no intention of staying, simply as a way to get money directly in the pockets of the Ukrainian people. According to a March 5 NPR article, more than 61,000 nights have been booked to bring in nearly $2 million. Airbnb liked the idea so much, the company is waiving all host and guest fees in Ukraine for now.

People are reporting helping in this way has made them feel more connected and invested since they are directly giving money to people, versus sending it to a larger organization. It was also noted this method allows people to send aid to smaller communities as well and not just to Kyiv and larger cities.

Other people are buying digital art from Ukrainian artists on Etsy.

Do you or anyone you know speak Ukrainian? Translators are needed in Philadelphia, according to a Philly Voice article March 5. Evacuated Ukrainian children with cancer are being sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for treatment, so the hospital is looking for Ukrainian-English speakers and readers to facilitate communication and translate medical records. To help, contact stjude4ukraine@stjude.org.

On a larger scale, a Feb. 25 NPR article listed organizations that are offering support and aid to the Ukrainian people. UNICEF focuses on health, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, education and more. Reportedly, water infrastructure and education facilities have been heavily damaged.

Voices of Children helps provide psychological and psychosocial support to children affected by the armed conflict, while Save the Children reportedly helps deliver lifesaving aid to children around the world.

Doctors Without Borders is helping people access health care facilities and medications. Sunflower of Peace is working to raise money to prepare first-aid tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front line. International Medical Corps is raising funds to expand primary health care and mental health services to those affected by the conflict.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is working to support the Ukrainian Red Cross to help people affected by the conflict. CARE is raising money for its Ukraine Crisis Fund to provide food, water, hygiene kits, support services and cash assistance.

The U.N. Refugee Agency aims to provide emergency assistance, such as financial help and opportunities for resettlement.

We, as humans, are all connected and need to come together to help each other in our time of need. The Ukrainian people are fighting for their culture, homes and lives. Let’s help them if we can.

Samantha Anderson

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press