Charity Votes Sought for Siversk

December 6, 2024 | by Ted Craft

You can vote once a day until December 31 for a $1,000 donation to aid sister city Siversk, Ukraine as Fairfield County Bank’s charity of the month.

Funds are also being raised to send holiday gifts to the children of Siversk, and on Sunday, December 8, Ukraine Aid International is hosting a free holiday party for families. Details below. UAI is the organization that created the Sister City Partnership program.

In a call on November 13 with First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor, Siversk mayor Alexei Vorobyov expressed deep gratitude for Weston’s ongoing assistance.

“Trust me, everyone here knows who is helping us,” he said.

If all goes well, Weston residents may have a chance to meet the mayor in a few months. The prospect of a visit was discussed on the call, and Ms. Nestor has extended a formal invitation.

Much of Weston’s support has been dedicated to the children of Siversk, which Mr. Vorobyov said “helps us use our own resources to meet other needs and defend our city.”

Donations have funded camp retreats that give children respite from war and a chance to reconnect with teachers and classmates long-separated and dispersed to safer parts of the country.

The funds currently being raised for holiday gifts would provide presents for 770 Siversk children. Ms. Nestor estimates that, after a start from a private donor, about $4,000 is still needed to purchase the gifts.

Donations, which can be made here, will also help fund another series of children’s camps this summer.

Ongoing support

In addition to the children’s camps, Weston donations so far have helped Siversk by providing equipment, supplies, health services, and a critically needed transport van.

The van, which delivers medicine, food, and aid, was damaged in September (for the second time) by cluster munitions. It is currently being repaired, but Mr. Vorobyov said Siversk does not have the $4,500 needed to replace a bulletproof windshield. Shortly after the call, a Weston citizen privately donated that amount.

UAI holiday party

Everyone is invited to Ukraine Aid International’s holiday party on Sunday afternoon, December 8. Families are welcome, and it’s free.

The party takes place from 1:00 to 5:00 in Black Rock at Redline Restoration, 2475 Fairfield Avenue. Food and drink will be provided. You can enjoy a silent auction of items donated by local vendors and gaze lovingly at beautifully restored antique cars.

The party benefits UAI’s work on the front lines in Ukraine supporting sister cities of seven Fairfield County cities and towns:

Weston and Siversk.
Westport and Lyman.
Easton and Sviatohirsk.
Fairfield and Kostiantynivka.
Ridgefield and Druzhkivka.
Greenwich and Izyum.
Stamford and Kramatorsk.

Editor’s note: Portions of this article are drawn from a previous report.

Charity Votes Sought for Siversk

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