October 23, 2024
Opening Ceremony
During the past week, one of the gymnasium’s sports fields was undergoing repair and installation work. Thus, with the assistance of the Kovalchuk family of doctors, the finances of American benefactors were attracted, which had a clear direction – the development of children’s sports. David and Douglas Kagel, who have Ukrainian roots, collected considerable funds for the manufacture of two basketball stands and the installation of a special surface on the volleyball court.
On Thursday, October 17, the symbolic opening of the new volleyball court took place. As part of the event, the director of the gymnasium and Petro Kovalchuk cut the red ribbon, after which physical education teachers Volodymyr Vladyslavovich Lukich and Yana Andriivna Lamali, leading the boys’ and girls’ teams, played a friendly game of volleyball. The director of the gymnasium also managed to make several pitches.
Employees of the Department of Education and Humanitarian Policy of the Cherkasy City Council were present at the opening.
The management of the gymnasium, the teaching and student teams express their gratitude to the Kovalchuk family and patrons.
Patrons promise to continue to help in the development of the material sports base of the gymnasium.
October 17, 2024
Basketball court completed — All made possible from SUT donations.
October 9, 2024
Principal Serhiy Sayenko Update
Work has started on the basketball court in Cherkasy.
October 7, 2024
Principal Serhiy Sayenko Update
Today I got the information that tomorrow the constructor is going to start the work. The whole day was rainy, and the weather forecast for tomorrow is quite good. I will inform you on the run of the work and would like to ask you if it was appropriate at the end to invite the local TV studio?
Every night is rather worrying in the city, so today we started the working day three hours later. It’s especially worrying at night, when we hear drones. I’m attaching the copy of the agreement with the constructor, I think you can get the information from the numbers.
Best wishes, Serhiy
Сергій Саєнко
Директор Першої міської гімназії
Черкаської міської ради
асоційованої школи ЮНЕСКО
Тел (0472) 337121
www.fcg.ck.ua
October 4, 2024
Principal Serhiy Sayenko Update
Today I’m attaching first photos from our sports ground, where, thanks to our local services, we prepared the space for construction work. We trimmed the trees which prevented the beginning of the work, as they grew too tall and wide. The constructor who will perform the work asked to postpone the beginning, so he’ll start in some days – they are finishing a huge project in Kharkiv. Moreover some of their workers were mobilised. They promise to do all the work here quickly. And i assure you that we will send reports in detail.
Best wishes, Serhiy
Сергій Саєнко
Директор Першої міської гімназії
Черкаської міської ради
асоційованої школи ЮНЕСКО
Тел (0472) 337121
www.fcg.ck.ua
September 27, 2024
Principal Serhiy Sayenko Update
I’m glad to inform that we have signed the contract and paid for the basketball poles. Next week the constructor is planning to come to Cherkasy and start the work. If there aren’t any hidden risks in the process, we will save the money in the sum of 45694 grivna. I hope that next week we will send you the first photos.
Today Petro came to school and we talked a bit about the project. We will invite both him and his children to the ceremony when the basketball pitch is ready. we would likie to invite you as well, but for the war…
Best wishes, Serhi
Сергій Саєнко
Директор Першої міської гімназії
Черкаської міської ради
асоційованої школи ЮНЕСКО
Тел (0472) 337121
www.fcg.ck.ua
September 18, 2024
Principal Serhiy Sayenko Update
On September 18, we are agreeing the contract with the contractor, we are clarifying the design of the soccer stands. Unfortunately, there is a large shortage of workers in Ukraine – the contractor is finishing work in one of the cities of Ukraine and will immediately start work in Cherkasy.
I think, next week, we will have more detailed information. Don’t worry, everything will be done. As soon as the builders arrive in Cherkasy and start work, I will send you photos every day. All funds are in the account of the gymnasium, we will pay for the actually completed works. Maybe with a small advance.
Best wishes, Serhiy
Сергій Саєнко
Директор Першої міської гімназії
Черкаської міської ради
асоційованої школи ЮНЕСКО
Тел (0472) 337121
www.fcg.ck.ua
August 3, 2024
FUNDS TO HELP SCHOOL SPORTS FIELD – PROJECT SPORTS INSTEAD OF WAR
As you know, our government no longer has funds to support sports programs for
any school in Ukraine. They must divert all social spending to other
causes. We need 28,000 dollars to build sports/volleyball field I think you
call basketball court as follows; <read more>
May 28, 2024
May 27, 2024
HELP THE CHILDREN OF CHERKASY FOCUS ON SPORTS INSTEAD OF WAR – PROJECT SPORTS INSTEAD OF WAR
Your donation today will help rebuild the Children’s Gymnasium so Rothko’s Friend Ivan and the students of Cherkasy First City Gymnasia school can focus on sports instead of War.
The gym building is 70% complete and due to the War, all social building programs have been suspended.
Please help today by clicking on the button below and making a donation:
March 7, 2024
FOOD DRIVE PROJECT – ended. Thank You for your donations.
February 18, 2024
FOOD DRIVE PROJECT
After a very long journey to Ukraine, your donations have arrived and are being distributed!
January 4, 2024
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
Petro met today with Maryna garkava chief of staff to mayor of cherkasy to start to distribute donations to refugees.
December 28, 2023
December 15, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
Northern California donors get together to pack donations for our next ship and show their support for Ukraine.
December 1, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
After initially being disqualified by Customs who wanted every item in the shipment to be listed separately our donations were finally cleared to fly to Ukraine as humanitarian aid today. Fortunately, we didn’t have to list each item as with over 10,000 separate articles of clothing it would have been impossible.
December 1, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
Founding donors Pete & Joni have made another huge donation of warm clothes and blankets for our next shipment. Thank you for your efforts to help those in need in Ukraine.
November 26, 2023
Happy holidays from the Ukraine!
November 11, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
Hello donors and friends,
Your winter 23/24 donations are on the way to Ukraine!
Thanks to you, many Ukrainians will have a warmer more comfortable winter this year. Your clothing and bedding donations are on the way and your GoFundme dollars are paying for the long trip there.
Thank you All! The need is great. Please keep your dollars, clothing and bedding coming this way.
Sincerely, Douglas and David
Sustain Ukraine Together
October 20 , 2023
This is what winter in Ukraine looks like. Thank you for your continued donations. Our winter shipment will take off soon. There is still time to include your donation.
October 27, 2023
Podcast #2 – Host Luke Colson interviews Sustained Ukraine Together co-founder David Kagel on how your Donations make a difference!
October 25, 2023
Podcast #1 – Popular podcast host and trauma specialist Luke Colson interviewed Petro & Olga and their family today about life in Ukraine today and their story of flite and return.
October 20, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
Packing day in our relief distribution center! The donations are going higher and higher
October 19, 2023
Rothko and Ivan are best friends. Ivan has returned to Cherkasky Ukraine but they stay in touch on Whatsapp weekly.
Ivan in Ukraine
Rothko in USA
October 18, 2023
We found another way to help Ukraine. Basic medications such as these are much needed. Please donate to Sustain Ukraine Together as the war, hardship and the winter continue.
October 13, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
A Big Thank You to Ilyce Dawes and the Volunteer League & Choral Music Troupers of SF Valley.
We collected the Third large donation from Illyce Dawes and her two charitable clubs today!
On top of all their other charitable endeavors, The Volunteer League and the Choral Music Troupers have collected almost 25 bags totalling 500 pounds of essential clothing and blankets to send to Ukraine. The Volunteer Leage of the San Fernando Valley was started 75 years ago to service needy school children from pre K -high school.
They also serve those in shelters supplying new shoes, toiletries, school uniforms, free clothes and more. Plus her friends at the Choral MusicTroupers also wanted to help Ukraine. They normally go to senior homes/retirement facilities performing entertaining shows.
We are so THANKFUL that Ilyce and these incredible philanthropic groups found time and resources to collect high quality donations to help the refugees in Ukraine!
October 11, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
Building our wall of donations for Ukrainian refugees. Please keep those donations coming!
October 4, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
Mike is packing boxes this week in Portland, Oregon for shipment to California and then to Ukraine. Our ship date from California to Ukraine is scheduled for November 1st, so please get your donations on the way!
September 28, 2023
Daily life in Ukraine. Taking shelter from missile attack.
September 27, 2023
Petro shared some thoughts today via Zoom on how difficult it is to maintain a daily routine and normal life.
He said that his family dreams every day about their previous life in the US, free of fear. But now it is a distant memory. The situation is very hard to live their lives day to day.
One hour ago he was in the grocery store and there were sirens warning people to find shelter. They must go to shelters for many hours each day. The problem is they don’t know if it is a real attack or not. So sometimes they don’t go into their basement and risk living their normal routines.
Today the sirens sounded at 1 p.m. in the middle of the day for 15 minutes only. Every day they don’t know how the day will develop. Russia uses hypersonic missiles most days. They are very strong. So everyone in Ukraine will take shelter as they don’t know the exact target in the country. They get a message via Whatsapp on their phone to take shelter. It is often a false alarm, as the Russians often send false alarms and feign an attack just to terrorize the people. To get them to go to basements and shelters just to disrupt their daily life patterns. It is just a campaign of psychological terror and then often becomes a real attack. They never know day to day.
September 26, 2023
While it is important to keep up with what is happening in Ukraine currently. Let’s also remember some of the good news that has come from the Ukraine during this long war.
Helpers of all kinds worked quickly to keep Ukrainians fed
When fleeing your country under the threat of a missile attack, you’re likely not going to pack the whole kitchen pantry in your backpack. For displaced Ukrainians, having access to food exactly where they are was pivotal in maintaining their health and safety.
Chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen arrived almost immediately on the scene in Ukraine back in February 2022. Since then, his relief crew has provided over 200 million meals and the organization’s #ChefsForUkraine program has partnered with a large network of Ukraine’s restaurants to continue the good work.
September 20, 2023
We received sad news from our friends in Cherkasy this morning. The city Petro and Olga and their family live in was missle attacked by Russia last night. Cherkasy is home to a number of refugee centers and a number of people were killed in the attack. This is disturbing and so sad.
September 20, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
Los Angeles Blog update. Packing day today. Maria carefully folding donations
September 19, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
5 Star Cleaners on Hawthorne and Broadway streets in Portland Oregon generously donated about a 125 pounds of unclaimed dry cleaning to Sustain Ukraine Together.
September 18, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
Our good friend Carl in Lake Geneva Illinois sent 7 boxes to add to our growing collections.
September 17, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
They donated 10 large Sherpa blankets.
September 15, 2023
CLOTHING DONATION PROJECT
I met Cassie T today. She had been sending clothes and diapers to Ukraine for a while. She spent $1000 dollars of her own money to send 8 large boxes via Meest Air to a relief agency there. We agreed to join forces and she will be gathering donations from her family and friends for our November 1 shipment. She is going to zoom with Petro on 9/21 to learn more about how she can help.
September 13, 2023
Randi G and I talked to Petro today on Zoom. We weren’t clear why he wanted blankets. He explained that the electrical grid and home gas line was blown away by the Russians. There was no way to heat the homes anywhere in Ukraine. Consequently, all Ukrainians living above or below ground in bunkers during missile attacks were freezing cold and blankets to keep them warm are incredibly expensive and in short supply and cost $50 dollars on the black market. That is why they constantly ask for blanket donations!.