Summer-long Ukrainian refugee fundraiser begins

Three Sequim churches host events, donation drives through Aug. 9

By Matthew Nash • July 6, 2022 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Pat and Doug Rublaitus of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church make a donation with help from Jennifer Schroeder, office manager for Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, on June 28.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Pat and Doug Rublaitus of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church make a donation with help from Jennifer Schroeder, office manager for Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, on June 28.

Members of three churches came together on June 28 to kick off their summer-long Ukrainian Collection Drive.

Volunteers congregated at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church in tandem with volunteers from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Trinity United Methodist Church to bring in donations for Ukrainian refugees displaced to Washington state after the Russian invasion.

Church leaders seek household goods and monetary donations through Aug. 9 to help the refugees through Lutheran Community Services in Tacoma.

Co-organizer Brenda Jennings, a retired nurse manager, said she felt frustrated watching the news about Ukraine and wanted to help, so she and four friends brainstormed the fundraiser drive.

“You see such horrible things on TV, and you think, ‘What can you do?’” she said.

“With this, I may not be there [in Ukraine], but I can help locally.”

She said she’s appreciative that her church and the community were so accepting of the idea.

At the kick-off, organizers offered live music, barbecue food, cinnamon rolls, tamales and more.

T-shirts with the Ukraine flag’s colors and “Never give up” made by Lorelee Wade and Jennifer Schroeder went on sale for $20. They’ll remain on sale at the church 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, with all proceeds going to refugees.

Jennings said an ongoing raffle will continue at events throughout the summer at the three churches for items such as hand-painted eggs and shawls from Ukraine.

Donations

Household items and monetary donations can be dropped off during the churches’ office hours:

• Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 925 N. Sequim Ave.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 360 681-0946.

• St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 N. Fifth Ave., 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Thursday; 360-683-4862.

• Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday; 360-683-5367

Items needed:

• Mop and bucket

• Broom and dustpan

• Sponges pack

• All-purpose cleaning spray

• Toilet brush

• Dish soap

• Laundry detergent

• Light bulbs (four-six in a box)

• Paper towels (two rolls in package)

• Tissues (two boxes)

• Bath towels (four)

• Wash cloths (four)

• Shower curtain and curtain rings

• Hand soap

• Toilet paper (six rolls)

• Small waste basket

New items are requested, organizers say, and monetary donations go to purchase these items.

Volunteer

Volunteers are needed to help assemble kits the following days:

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, at Trinity United Methodist Church,

• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church,

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Kits will be delivered to Tacoma between Aug. 16-18.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Eggs and shawls from Ukraine along with many other items will be raffled off through Aug. 9 at three Sequim churches with proceeds going to help Ukrainian refugees living in Washington now.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Eggs and shawls from Ukraine along with many other items will be raffled off through Aug. 9 at three Sequim churches with proceeds going to help Ukrainian refugees living in Washington now.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash T-shirts featuring the Ukraine flag’s colors and slogan “Never give up” made by Lorelee Wade and Jennifer Schroeder at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church went on sale on June 28 for $20. They’ll remain on sale at the church 8 a.m.-4 p.m. through Aug. 9 to help Ukrainian refugees living in Washington state.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash T-shirts featuring the Ukraine flag’s colors and slogan “Never give up” made by Lorelee Wade and Jennifer Schroeder at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church went on sale on June 28 for $20. They’ll remain on sale at the church 8 a.m.-4 p.m. through Aug. 9 to help Ukrainian refugees living in Washington state.

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Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash T-shirts featuring the Ukraine flag’s colors and slogan “Never give up” made by Lorelee Wade and Jennifer Schroeder at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church went on sale on June 28 for $20. They’ll remain on sale at the church 8 a.m.-4 p.m. through Aug. 9 to help Ukrainian refugees living in Washington state.