PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Mount Laurel women's ice hockey club is raising money to support fellow hockey players in Ukraine whom they met four years ago in that currently war-torn land.
Speaking from western Ukraine through a translator, Katyia, whose real name we are withholding for safety reasons, told KYW Newsradio she is grateful to the women of the New Jersey Jaguars who have been raising money for the women of the Kharkiv Panthers hockey team.
"An individual only cares about her essentials right now, so as far as she has water and food, she doesn't need anymore,” Katyia’s translator said.
“Whatever money she gets, and for which she is very grateful, she sends to Kharkiv to those who are stuck and who are still there and cannot get out of the city."
Trish Silvestri, a player for the Jaguars, has been helping to raise money for her team's friends and wiring it to Ukraine.
Related
"We are taking private donations and doing at least an event or two a month to keep that money coming in and keep sending whatever relief and aid that we can,” Silvestri said.
“We are able to wire money directly, and I believe now PayPal has entered Ukraine which makes it a lot easier to send funds over directly as well. We are currently working with Katyia and her local government in the city she is in now to send actual humanitarian aid, and if we can, ship actual items whether that be personal hygiene, canned goods, or anything."
Some of the money she recently sent was used to buy 100 pounds of flour and animal food. About $6,000 has been raised so far.
The next fundraiser is a “Help Ukraine” charity game on April 2 at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees.
Katyia said she is grateful for the money and the mental support. She said she Is staying put in Ukraine for now.
"Katyia said she doesn't know what to do right now, and she feels she needs to stay in Ukraine to help the family or locally in any way that she can,” her translator said.
Related Jawncast: How beer is being used to help those suffering in the wake of the Ukraine-Russia war.
This effort is the latest in a four-year journey for the two teams. Back in 2018, the New Jersey team went to Ukraine and built many friendships. The Ukrainian women came to Pennsylvania right after that to play the Jaguars.
"She says we will be in touch forever,” Katyia’s translator said, “and she says after this war ends, she is coming to America again."
For more from KYW Newsradio:
- Download the Audacy App
- Listen live
- Listen on your smart speaker
Related
