School collects items for Ukraine

Apr. 15—CHAPLIN — Parish Hill Middle/ High School collected over 15,000 items in a recent donation drive to benefit Ukrainian residents.

Since Feb. 24, Russian soldiers have invaded Ukraine's sovereign territory, killing thousands and causing untold damage to the nation's homes and infrastructure.

The drive, organized by Parish Hill's Action Community Team/ Parent Teacher Student Association (PHACT/PTSA) and its vice-president, Kathy Freed, was held in March.

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Parish Hill collects items for Ukraine

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It took place with assistance from the EASTCONN Educational and Vocational Center, the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department and the Ukrainian National Home in North Windham.

PHACT/ PTSA member Lisa Labelle said, in addition to the communities in Regional School District 11, many other area organizations also assisted with the drive.

" Windham Hospital gave three pallets, plus two bins' worth of donations," Labelle said of the Willimantic-based hospital operated by Hartford Healthcare.

"Donations were picked up by Mark Merritt, the volunteer ambulance and rescue captain for the Marlborough Volunteer Fire Department. Students at Parish Hill had a contest to see (which class) could bring in the most donations."

The senior class members contributed the most to the drive out of the student body and received a $ 75 prize from PHACT/PTSA to help defray senior prom expenses.

Most of the donations were new medical supplies, ranging from bandages to various pain relievers, and were mailed directly to Ukraine.

" The items have been sent to Kiev, and they were very pleased to get these much- needed donations," Labelle said.

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