“Even if you make the change in one person, it is worth it to do the change”
Hamden, Connecticut is an East Coast, dense suburban town with more than 60,000 residents. Despite being a suburban community in the middle of the state, many residents feel the need to respond to international events. That was especially on display when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
In the roughly three months since the initial invasion, more than 13 million people have been displaced, and cities lie in shambles. In what has been referred to as the West’s biggest test since World War II, Russian President Vladimir Putin described that with Ukraine identifying with Western European and NATO countries, which are traditionally Russia’s political opponents, he does not feel safe.
Ukraine leaning West, there was no way he could feel safe in developing his country. At this point, Russian officials are focused on seizing the two big eastern regions and creating a land corridor along the south coast.
Quinnipiac University International Businesses Professor Gedeon Werner explained that while Ukraine might seem far away, the impact and hurt is felt in the United States.
“It was not about the territory,” Werner said. “Ukrainians haven’t done anything to threaten the Russians; all they…wanted [was] to build [a] prosperous country for their people, and that was the biggest strength. Isn’t that what we as Americans want to do?”
It seems local businesses and organizations across Hamden feel the same way.
Freskos, a local Greek restaurant located in Hamden, Connecticut, started a campaign to support Nova Ukraine, a non-profit dedicated to providing aid for those who need it most, especially women and children. On March 10, the restaurant gave away free gyros and accepted donations, no matter how big or small. During the benefit, owner Peter Vouras said they were “slamming busy” and that they ended up raising more money than they ever thought they would; $5,300 to be exact. They continue to have a spot at the cash register to donate at checkout, and plan to continue sending their support to Nova Ukraine.
Many customers have responded to the call for donations in support of Ukraine.
“I was told about the good deeds and donations that Freskos was doing and made sure to participate for a good cause,” said Gemma Pohalski, a customer of the restaurant. “There were a ton of people here and business seemed to be very busy. It was good to see a large group of people gather together for a good cause.”
Even if some couldn’t make the event on March 10, Freskos still has a donation bin for the public to give clothes, money, toiletries, or anything else to assist those in need in Ukraine.
Freskos certainly were not the only ones trying to help. The Quinnipiac University School of Nursing began a donation drive to collect items like non-sterile gloves, safety pins, eye wash, gauze pads and other materials that hospitals in Ukraine are in desperate need of. Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Lisa Rebeschi organized the drive and has been in close contact with the St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Haven. The Catholic Church will be handling the shipping of all the collected items.
On May 7, Rebeschi says between 5,000-6,000 pounds of donated supplies were shipped over to Ukraine by the church. The donation drive will extend until the end of May, and they hope to see even more supplies be sent.
In times of large crisis, the general sense of helplessness is pervasive among a community. It has affected many, but especially those trained in care and compassion.
“For all of us in the School of Nursing, as nurses, obviously, it’s our background, right?” Resbeschi said. “In terms of caring for people who have been injured or ill and so we’ve been thinking about a way to come together as a community to support those who are in need.”
She stressed that for students, it’s especially important to know that there are ways to help, no matter how small – a sentiment shared across the board by all I spoke to.
“It doesn’t matter how big and quote ‘insignificant’ it might be,” Werner said. “It matters. There is something. It’s doing something that is needed. It’s doing something purposeful and shows the recipient that you’re not alone and sometimes the psychological support is more important than the physical support that you provide.”
Vincent Colonna, a Quinnipiac student who donated to the School of Nursing’s donation drive, believes the help from citizens from the United States can go a long way.
“Obviously the U.S. and Ukraine are allies, but we are more than just partners for trade or for the economy,” he said. “We want to show them that we have a heart and are genuine people here. In the long run, I’m sure that means a lot to them. If you put the shoe on the other foot, I’m sure we’d want people to help us as well.”
Werner also reiterated that this is more than a war for power and for the economy and says that this is “our war” as well and is willing to pay the extra money for gas if that’s the worst thing that happens.
“So don’t give up hope, be active, you know be active now helping the Ukrainians and helping them to preserve their freedom,” Werner said. “Because that will also help.”
Hope and change are the big words and the common goal between all of the local fundraisers and organizations in Hamden. With every donation they receive, they inch closer to reaching that purpose.