Bethel Park speaker sends care packages to native Ukraine

Millions have fled war-torn Ukraine, but when Russia invaded the country last year, Lesya Jurgovsky’s first instinct was to pack her bags to go there and help.

She didn’t. Jurgovsky, a Ukraine native who has lived in the United States since 2004, made a life in Pittsburgh complete with a husband and daughter. Her husband convinced her she could do more to help here, and she followed that advice.

“It is so hard for me and my family to watch what is happening,” she said during a presentation at Bethel Park Public Library in March.

For the past 14 months, she has been collecting supplies and donations for care packages to be sent to Ukraine. Her group, Sunshine for Tomorrow, has sent about 900 boxes so far. Some of the boxes contain medical supplies for hospitals and military units; others have personal care items and clothing for orphanages and rehabilitation homes.

At the Bethel Park event, about 50 people listened as Jurgovsky showed pictures of her hometown of Ternopil, a city in western Ukraine. She also showed vacation photos taken during a family trip to Ukraine before the war.

Her presentation was peppered with several tearful pauses, particularly as she showed photos of buildings and playgrounds before the war and after they were turned to ruins.

“How is it possible people can do this to each other?” she asked.

Her charity work got off to a rocky start when a hacker stole her identity a year ago and pilfered thousands of dollars in donations meant for Ukraine aid. Nevertheless, Jurgovsky continued her efforts, focusing on smaller fundraisers and the sale of Ukraine-inspired crafts to raise money.

Jurgovsky is also involved in welcoming Ukrainian refugees who are now living in the Pittsburgh area. She introduced a few during her presentation. Jurgovsky is returning the favor from when she first moved to United States and was met with kindness despite her limited English.

To help young refugees now living in the area, Jurgovsky has been working with a child behavior specialist to learn about children who have suffered from trauma and how they can be helped.

Patty Maxwell of Engage Kidz said some youngsters can have anxiety, have difficulty concentrating and distrust others, among other symptoms.

“We expect these kids to be perfect little angels and not have any behaviors, but that is very unrealistic,” she said.

Jurgovsky’s first trip to the United States 19 years ago was supposed to be a relatively short one, but she said she fell in love with the country. She joined the U.S. Army in 2009 and served for eight years. Eventually she married, had a daughter and settled in the Pittsburgh area.

“I love here,” she said, “but I still miss Ukraine, because it is my home and it is my family.”