How to Help: Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toms River Collecting Donations for War Victims

“Ukraine: EU assistance to thousands of Ukrainians traveling across the line of contact every day” by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid is marked with CC BY-ND 2.0.

A Ukrainian Catholic church in Toms River is accepting donations of essential supplies to be sent to the people of Ukraine.

St. Stephen Ukrainian Catholic Church, located on White Oak Bottom Road, sought support from the township this week in organizing an effort to take up a collection for Ukrainians hurt or displaced by the invasion of the country by Russia. Rev. Volodymyr Popyk, Pastor of St Stephen’s, reached out to Councilman Jim Quinlisk, who coordinated the effort with Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill.

Items being sought, which can be sent to refugees seeking humanitarian relief, include:

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• Non-perishable food.
• Warm clothes and footwear for men, women and children, including mittens, winter shoes and warm items such as thermal underwear.
• Hygiene products (except sprays, perfumes or products containing alcohol).
• Diapers.
• Blankets and bedding.
• Tableware.
• First aid kits.
• Tents/sleeping bags and air mattresses.
• Standalone lamps.
• Candles
• Containers for liquid (water and fuel).
• Knee pads.
• Ballistic goggles.
• Over-the-counter medicine (no prescriptions).
• Consumer electronics.

Items to avoid include alcohol, perishable food, arms or ammunition, knives, batteries, aerosols, compressed air, stoves, matches, perfumes and prescription drugs.

“Ukraine: EU assistance to thousands of Ukrainians traveling across the line of contact every day” by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid is marked with CC BY-ND 2.0.

“Ukraine: EU assistance to thousands of Ukrainians traveling across the line of contact every day” by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid is marked with CC BY-ND 2.0.

“This is our opportunity to give more than ‘thoughts and prayers’ and to do so through a local church we know,” Hill said. “Most of us have never suffered the unimaginable circumstance of having our homeland invaded. I am grateful to Pastor Popyk for giving the people of Toms River a local way to contribute.”

Quinlisk said the township is “honored” to support our Ukrainian neighbors.

Popyk said that people can drop off supplies in the rear of the church at 1344 White Oak Bottom Road, Toms River, N.J. at any time. Volunteers will be packing the supplies to ship to Ukraine late next week.

Those who wish to make monetary donations are urged to do so through a PayPal account set up by the Archeparchy of Philadelphia.