Bake sale for body armor: Local Ukrainian church keeps faith, raises funds for Ukrainians

Cupcakes topped with blue and yellow icing — the colors of the Ukrainian flag — were among the abundance of treats offered for sale at a local coffee shop.

The cupcakes, pies and cakes were sold during a bake sale on Saturday to raise money for body armor and other items for Ukrainians soldiers fighting against Russia.

The recent sale on the back patio of Zero Tolerance Coffee and Chocolate, 913 W Britton Road, was one of a series of fundraisers being held by members of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The small church is being led by the Rev. Stepan Bilogan, a native Ukrainian who came to Oklahoma about a year ago to become the new priest for the house of worship in Jones.

"The money that we get, we buy things for the soldiers like helmets, bullet-proof vests and everything that is sent to Ukraine," Bilogan said in Ukrainian, with church member Mikita Dzialendzik helping to translate the priest's words into English.

Maura Baker, another St. Mary's member who owns the Zero Tolerance shop, said people were lined up outside the establishment before she opened on Saturday. She said the church is grateful for the support the community has shown for the church and Ukraine through the fundraisers. The recent sale included dancing and live music, with Bilogan playing his accordion along.

"This was full," Baker said of the shop's patio area. "A lot of people came to support us — the lady who runs the Russian grocery store came, as well."

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Baker said the parish held a bake sale fundraiser at a Presbyterian church in Tulsa during the Lenten season and the church's pastor recently brought to St. Mary's $1,200 in donations that was raised through the effort. She said in addition to the items Bilogan mentioned, the funds help pay shipping costs for medical and food supplies that are being sent to Ukraine.

Church members said the next bake sale will be in June at St. Mark Catholic Church in Norman.

Grateful for support

Bilogan said he is in daily contact with his mother and brother, who remain in besieged Ukraine.

He said the regular phone calls with loved ones helps him and his wife, Iryna, deal with a constant stream of troubling news reports showing Ukrainians battling Russian troops, missiles destroying buildings and civilians fleeing the war-torn country.

He said he doesn't expect his mother will leave Ukraine because she is elderly and does not want to leave her home.

"She is retired. She is older in age so it would be difficult," he said.

Bilogan said he came to the U.S. on a religious visa to work as a priest at St. Mary's. He said he is allowed a vacation of two or three weeks, but he considers travel to Ukraine too dangerous at this time.

In light of this, the priest said he's happy to see so many Americans voicing their support for Ukraine and for the country's partner countries in the West, such as the U.S.

"The Americans are showing up to help. They show up with clothing, medicine to help," he said.

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Bilogan said he's grateful for the support and encouragement of Oklahomans, who have come alongside his parishioners at St. Mary's, 409 Boston St. in Jones. He said he hasn't been surprised to see many Oklahomans giving toward the Ukrainian cause.

"I really like Oklahoma. Everyone is good, everyone is wishing me well," Bilogan said.

As for his countrymen fighting to remain independent, Bilogan said the world can expect to see more of their courage as they repel Russians from their land.

"I knew in the deepest of my heart that the people of Ukraine love their freedom,' he said. "My country wants to be independent from Russia. The soldiers are fighting — this is in our very blood."

Keeping the faith

Edmond couple Vasyl and Olena Nesin, both natives of Ukraine, also have served as translators for Bilogan since he arrived in Oklahoma from Ukraine.

The couple said the news emerging from their native land is often disturbing these days, but they have managed to keep the faith.

"We believe in victory," Olena Nesin said emphatically after a recent Sunday service at St. Mary's.

However, she said the price for a triumph over Russia will be high.

"It's clear that the victory will be very heavy; there will be a lot of casualties," she said.

The Nesins were motivated to start a relief drive to collect efforts for Ukrainians. They helped with the recent bake sale, and St. Mary's members have come to expect them to be in the midst of any local efforts to help Ukraine.

For more information about the baked sales and other fundraisers for Ukraine, go the church's Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Baked goods for body armor: local church raises funds for Ukraine