Rotary Stands With Ukraine May 18 2023

Video Description

Rotary Club of Wilmington has raised more than $280,000 to provide humanitarian assistance for Ukrainians displaced by the war, including shelter, food, medicine and other essentials. Money continues to be raised through a fundraising campaign in the local community and highlighted by a dinner at the Hotel DuPont on May 18. The audience heard a special message from Her Excellency Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States. Also featured were Iryna Mazur, Honorary Consul of Ukraine and a wounded Ukrainian soldier, Vasyl Levchenko. Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper also made remarks. At a press conference prior to the dinner https://fb.watch/kCh6zTFRVP/ , Mrs. Mazur, Eugene Luciw, President of the Philadelphia Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and members of the Delaware Ukrainian community shared their insights. “The humanitarian need in Ukraine is great and urgent”, said Margi Prueitt, Project Chair for Rotary Club of Wilmington who led the project. “Rotarians are driven by their belief in Service Above Self, and we knew we needed to do something. People are hurting, and we couldn’t stand idly by.” Eugene Luciw, President of the Philadelphia Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, said the spirit of Ukraine and the spirit of Rotary are a perfect match. “Ukraine’s people remain courageous, optimistic and strong. Most notably, they show unparalleled generosity and mercy towards the less fortunate, those many millions of devastatingly injured and/or displaced souls that need to be fed, clothed and sheltered. The already needy are making the ultimate sacrifice of caring for their still needier neighbors. And Ukraine’s soldiers continue proudly to fight and to defend Ukraine, despite overwhelming odds. They are making plans for a foreseeable decisive victory,” Luciw said. “How is all of this possible? How is it that Ukraine and her people, despite the devastation, can be so generous and courageous and, through that generosity and courage, so confident, strong and successful. Rotary’s slogan offers the best explanation: ‘Service above self’.” Mark Murowany, Chair of the Delaware Ukrainian Refugee Committee. "This is an existential war- Ukraine must win to stop this colonial war on the European continent. Delawareans - the 75,000 Polish- American residents and the 15,000 Ukrainian - American residents are well aware of the history of Russia's imperial designs on her Eastern and Central European neighbors. Ukrainian heroic resistance reminds us as Americans that freedom is not free. They fight for the rights that are enjoyed by America and Europe.” Iryna Mazur, Honorary Consul of Ukraine, said she looks forward to the day when she can invite the people of Delaware to her home country. “With great hope in my heart, I am looking forward to the time when I can invite you to see beautiful Kyiv when the chestnut trees are in bloom, to visit multicultural Odessa and restored old Kharviv, to enjoy gorgeous Lviv and sun-filled Crimea under the blue Ukrainian sky. I promise that Ukrainians will always welcome you with an open heart!” Consul Mazur said. Ambassador Markarova expressed her deep appreciation to the Rotary Club of Wilmington, each of the donors and all who made this event possible. “Thank you for supporting our fight and everything we hold sacred: freedom, independence, sovereignty, and of course, democracy,” Ambassador Markarova said.