Endicott church holds monthly drive to collect donations for people of Ukraine
Members of an Endicott church are collecting clothes, medical supplies and other items to help the people of Ukraine.
“There’s very generous people out there that want to do something. Every little bit helps,” said Dee Pado, a member of the Sts. Cosmos and Damian Society of St. Anthony’s Church.
The organization holds a monthly clothing drive to help the people of Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February. Any size or type of clothing is welcome. They also collect personal care items, diapers and medical supplies.
Their first clothing drive was held in May, Pado said. They collected two car loads of items and continue to receive more donations every month.
The clothing drive for Ukraine is one of many charitable projects the society has participated in. They’ve helped Showers of Hope, which offers mobile showers and other services to people in need, Pado said.
Helping others is a way to honor the legacy of Sts. Cosmos and Damian, she said.
“They always helped the needy,” she said of the two saints.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, a steady stream of cars and SUVs stopped by Judy’s Café, across from the church, where the clothing drive was held. A van pulled up loaded with several boxes of shoes and clothes. One woman dropped off eight boxes full of clothes. Another man stopped by with his arms full of new men’s pants. He apologized for not having boxes, but the women said that was OK.
Some of the same donors come every month with more donations, Pado said.
“People have been very generous,” she said.
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Many of the donors are parishioners at St. Anthony’s, although anyone is welcome to donate clothes, said another member of the society, Christine Brown.
“They’re just a giving church,” she said of St. Anthony’s Church.
Pado, Brown and Brenda Borromei, another society member, made numerous trips back and forth from the cars to the café to unload the donations. They carried countless boxes and bags of clothing. But they didn’t mind the hard work, they said.
“It’s the Christian thing to do,” Pado said. “We are very blessed that we have enough ourselves. So why not share?”
Added Borromei, “There’s such a great need.”
All donations collected by the church are given to Sacred Heart Ukrainian Church in Johnson City. Church members there have already shipped one container weighing more than 20 tons to Ukraine and continue to collect items to help the people of Ukraine. Donations came from all over the Southern Tier and continue to pour in, said the church’s pastor, the Rev. Teodor Czabala.
“It’s nice to see and know that the American people, especially the people of the Southern Tier, are so generous,” he said. “So many people are willing to go out of their way to help others. It’s nice to see and so beautiful — the outpouring of support.”
His church will continue to receive clothing donations from the Endicott church each month.
“We will be here,” Brown said.
How to help
A clothing drive for the people of Ukraine is held on the first Saturday of each month at Judy’s Café, across from St. Anthony’s Church, at 300 Odell Ave. in Endicott.
Any type and size of clothing is accepted, along with shoes, medical supplies such as walkers and crutches, diapers and personal care items.
The next clothing drive is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. July 2.
Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in Johnson City continues to collect donations to help people in Ukraine. For more information, find the church on Facebook or call the church at 607-797-6293.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Help for Ukraine: Endicott church collects clothes, medical supplies
