Events & Causes: Rally for Ukraine
On Saturday, February 25, blue and yellow flags and anti-war posters stood out against a bluebird sky as hundreds of Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine rallied at Denver’s capitol to show their support for Ukraine at the one-year mark. The event, hosted by Ukrainians of Colorado, with an informational table and exhibit from Sunflower Seeds Ukraine initiative, provided the opportunity for community leaders to reflect on the year that has elapsed since russia attacked Ukraine and to share with attendees how they can help. It was a bittersweet gathering, where Ukrainian songs rang out, and Ukrainian immigrants and refugees shared their stories.
Hearing firsthand accounts, like the one from Yana Krotova, a woman who had fled Mariupol with her husband and son weeks after her father died when his apartment building was bombed. Krotova made the effort to speak in English rather than her native tongue so that those who didn’t speak Ukrainian could hear her story. It was heartbreaking. Krotova’s story is that of so many Ukrainian refugees right now: More than 8 million Ukrainian civilians have fled their homeland, another 5.4 million are internally displaced, and more than 14,000 have been injured or killed.
When you take that one woman’s story of losing family, friends, her home and multiply it by those numbers, the weight of the war can feel insurmountable. But then, we heard from soldiers who had been to the front lines and told stories of heroism and determination, and they sparked hope that Ukrainian resolve will overcome the senseless aggression. They told us that the work of small nonprofits like Ukrainians of Colorado, United for Ukraine and Sunflower Seeds Ukraine to deliver supplies and hope to the Defenders and the people fortifies their resolve. People came to our tables at the event to learn more about what we do and to donate to supply medical and tactical gear to Defenders. In all, we raised $2527 that day, and we also raised awareness of the need to continue to support Ukraine in every way we can. Together, we win! Slava Ukraini! Hiroyam Slava!