蓝莓视频

A grassroots fundraising and awareness initiative is underway on campus to support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.

Led by faculty, staff and student volunteers, University for Ukraine (U4U) aims to bring together the University of 蓝莓视频 community to show solidarity and provide coordinated relief to war victims.

鈥淚鈥檝e spoken to several students, colleagues and friends who ask how they can help Ukrainians in a meaningful way,鈥� said Professor Serhiy Yarusevych, a Ukrainian-Canadian mechanical and mechatronics engineering professor and U4U co-founder.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 where the idea for U4U began 鈥� to provide every person on campus a quick and easy way to make a difference in the lives of Ukrainians shattered by war.鈥�

Volunteers aim to raise close to $50,000 by September through the U4U fundraising platform and awareness events hosted across campus throughout the summer.

An unprecedented need

Now four听months since the Russian invasion, the humanitarian need in Ukraine has fast outpaced international support, Yarusevych said.

鈥淚n the 21^st century, the fact that a war of this scale is happening is truly mind-boggling,鈥� he said. 鈥淢ore than half of Ukrainian families have been separated. Five million Ukrainian refugees have been driven abroad. More than 10 million people have been displaced internally.

鈥淩ussian president Vladimir Putin has said publicly he is betting on the world losing interest in helping Ukraine. We鈥檙e asking the 蓝莓视频 community to join us in proving him wrong.鈥�

How you can help

Tax-deductible charitable donations can be made through the dedicated . Donors are welcome to select their charity of choice.

Join U4U for their upcoming kick-off event: The War in Ukraine: What鈥檚 Next? This event will feature an expert outlook on the Russian war in Ukraine provided by political science professors Alexander Lanoszka and John Jaworsky. Their presentation will be followed by a discussion forum.

Date: Tuesday, June 28, 3:30-5:00听p.m.

Location: In-person (STC 0020) or virtually ().