LHS SOPHOMORE Brendan Sokop was full of pride while standing in front of the over 9,000 medical supplies that were donated to St. Andrew Ukrainian Church as part of his “First Aid for Ukraine” fundraiser. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Wow.
Lynnfield High School sophomore Brendan Sokop collected over 9,000 medical supplies earlier this month to help the Ukrainian people as part of a fundraiser called “First Aid for Ukraine.” He donated the supplies to the St. Andrew Ukrainian Church in Jamaica Plain.
St. Andrew Ukrainian Church has been collecting medical supplies on behalf of the Sunflower of Peace Foundation. According to the foundation’s website, the Boston-based nonprofit organization is collaborating with a global network of organizations and institutions that are committed to helping the Ukrainian people affected by the Russian military invasion.
“I decided that I wanted to help after I saw how Ukraine was struggling during the Russian invasion,” said Brendan. “My mom Kim started conducting research on churches around the Boston area. She learned that the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church was collecting medical supplies on behalf of the Sunflower of Peace Foundation. I thought helping Ukraine would be the perfect Confirmation project.”
Kim estimated that Lynnfield residents donated 8,000 pairs of medical gloves along with 1,200 other medical supplies that included antiseptics, bandages, burn cream, disposable needles, gauze, medical kits and pain relievers.
“It was amazing,” said Kim.
Brendan agreed.
“We collected a ton of medical supplies,” said Brendan. “It was great seeing how much the community cared about the Ukrainian people.”
Brendan noted that he collected the 2,000 medical supplies between March 1 and March 8 at his family’s Westover Drive home.
After the collection drive ended, Brendan and Kim delivered the medical supplies to St. Andrew Ukrainian Church.
“The abundance of donations from the people of Lynnfield in just one week’s time swelled the hearts of the people at the Ukrainian church,” said Kim. “They were grateful and amazed. Parish President Jane Yavarow, a first generation Ukrainian immigrant, helped us unpack the supplies. She told us stories of parishioners who are firsthand affected by the atrocities of this war. She proudly asked if we would take a tour of her church. The late afternoon light gleamed through the Orthodox Church’s heavenly dome, and the church was flushed with peaceful yet vivid colors that bounced from their frescos and stained glass. It evoked such feelings of pride, hope and solemnity. Upon leaving, Jane hugged Brendan and I, and profusely thanked our community.”
Brendan concurred with his mom’s sentiment.
“It was great seeing how happy Jane was when we donated the supplies,” said Brendan. “She really appreciated the community’s support.”
Jane was incredibly touched by the community’s outpouring of support for the people of Ukraine.
“Brendan is a very special young man,” said Jane. “He saw a need, and he acted upon it. We are most grateful that he took the initiative to help gather medical supplies for our shipment to aid our suffering brothers and sisters in our ancestral homeland of Ukraine. We have been so taken by people from all over the Greater Boston area who have reached out to us during this time with both donations and monetary gifts. There is great goodness in so many.”
While Brendan is no longer collecting medical supplies, he might launch another collection drive in the future.
“We are done for now, but we might start up again if Jane contacts us,” said Brendan.
Brendan thanked the community for supporting the “First Aid for Ukraine” fundraiser.
“I want to thank the community for supporting my fundraiser,” said Brendan. “It’s going to mean a lot to the Ukrainian people.”