A Washington-area Ukrainian Catholic Church will be setting up an unusual table at its annual Christmas bazaar this weekend — a collection point for supplies for Ukrainian troops battling Russian-backed separatists in the old country.
The Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church of Silver Spring, Md., says it will accept “new socks, underwear and thermal wear for the men fighting for Ukraine.” The church also issued an appeal for “fever-relieving” medical supplies, according to the flier promoting the Dec. 12-13 bazaar.
Russia seized Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in March 2014 and has openly supported pro-Moscow militias in eastern Ukraine that have broken with the central government in Kiev. The Obama administration has faced criticism for not offering more military aid to the pro-Western government, but the defense spending bill signed by President Obama last month included $300 million to help Ukraine in its fight against separatist forces, including $50 million for lethal weaponry such as anti-armor weapon systems, mortars, grenade launchers and ammunition.
“All items will go to the Ukrainian defenders who are currently at the front lines (14th and 72nd brigades, and the marines of [the] Volyn region),” according to the church’s flier. “It is getting very cold, wet and muddy in Eastern Ukraine and these are things that can be really helpful!”
The donations will be collected by United Help Ukraine, a Maryland nonprofit which says its mission is to “help those are at the front lines protecting Ukraine from the Russian invasion, also the families of wounded and fallen heroes, as well as those who had to leave their homes and are in need of temporary aid.”
• David R. Sands can be reached at dsands@washingtontimes.com.
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