Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Heartbreak, hope and help are on display as Western New York's reputation for generosity continues to be on display as war rages in Ukraine. Dnipro Buffalo says donations have topped $100,000 to help Ukraine more than a month after Russia's invasion.
Emil Bandriwsky of Dnipro Buffalo says a number of events have been held, including over the weekend on Military Road and another at the Italian Cultural Center. "We also has an event with Rotary Club with a generous donation, and some private restaurants have done fundraisers," says Bandriwsky.
He says the total has reached $100,000 with that money put to good use. "We made some cash donations to relief agencies in Poland, and we are in the process right now of acquiring and shipping several individual first aid kits for volunteers that are fighting the invasion," notes Bandriwsky.
He says support is coming from everywhere. "There's tremendous compassion and love from all corners of the Western New York community from private individuals of all ethnic backgrounds. Some people didn't even know what a Ukrainian was two months ago," says Bandriwsky. He cites an event with the Polish community a week ago where Adrian Kubicki, the Polish general console came to the cultural center. "We had 300 people, we've gotten tremendous support from the Polish community in Buffalo," adds Bandriwsky.
Bandriwsky says the best way to donate is with cash. "We can source things in Europe, as opposed to buying things here and then shipping them with more uncertainty from the United States," explains Bandriwsky.
He notes there are WNYers in Ukraine right now, but communication is spotty and did not comment on where exactly they are or their condition.
