RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — The back-to-school season generally is a anxious time of 12 months, and that is very true for numerous Ukrainian households who’re beginning over in a model new place.
As CBS2’s Nick Caloway experiences, a gaggle in Bergen County is attempting to lighten the load.
At St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Ridgewood, a military of volunteers, a lot of them in highschool, spent the day stuffing backpacks with necessities.
The provides have been donated by folks close to and much. Valuable time because the summer time winds down was additionally given without cost.
“I believe it is our responsibility, as folks, to be compassionate for each other,” mentioned Kate Hoffman, a senior at Ridgewood Excessive Faculty.
Fifty of the back-to-school packs got to Ukrainian households who needed to depart their homeland and are available right here with virtually nothing.
Highschool freshman Anastasia Bard and her household moved from Kharkiv to New Milford two months in the past.
“I really feel scared. However I believe it is actually, like, tremendous that we will get that. As a result of … it might probably assist,” she mentioned.
Lyubov Ferara was born in Ukraine and has lived in Bergen County the final six years. She’s been serving to her folks for the reason that battle began.
“Possibly the primary day, when the information broke, I used to be numb. I did not know what to do. I used to be misplaced. However then I made a decision I’ll do one thing that I can management,” she mentioned.
Within the basement of St. Elizabeth’s, a former nursery has been transformed right into a free retailer for Ukrainian refugees.
Rev. Andy Olivo mentioned the neighborhood is popping prayer into motion.
“This room stuffed up in a matter of days. There’s simply kind of a lot stuff coming in,” he mentioned.
The summer time is ending, however the mission will proceed. Volunteers say they are going to proceed giving provides and their time so long as needed.
