On February 24 in 2022 Russia escalated its war on Ukraine, sending Ukrainians worldwide into a frenzy and into ACTION!
UMANA and the Ohio Chapter of UMANA immediately pivoted and organized mass shipments of medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
2024
OSOKINS FREEDOM FESTIVAL
On November 3, 2024, the Cleveland Latvian community, through the Latvian Association of Cleveland and the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, presented the Osokins Freedom Festival. The Latvian community has been a staunch supporter of our efforts to provide medical and humanitarian assistance to the victims of the war in Ukraine and it continues to do so.
The proceeds of the Osokins Freedom Festival were dedicated to the victims of the war in Ukraine. The Osokins’ Freedom Festival was founded in the summer of 2020 and since 2022, it has been devoted to supporting the fight in Ukraine. A big Thank You goes out to our Latvian friends!
ROUNDTABLE WITH USAID
On April 25, 2024, leaders from the Ukrainian community and Ukrainian supporters met with USAID (United States Agency for International Development) in Parma, Ohio. From usaid.gov, “At USAID, we are proud to stand by the Ukrainian people—to strengthen their democracy and sustain their economy as they defend their homeland. Since Putin’s full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the United States, through USAID, has surged support to rapidly address urgent humanitarian needs, while also investing in Ukraine’s economy and building resilient infrastructure and institutions to help Ukraine recover from Putin’s ruthless attacks and sustain a lasting peace.”
In attendance were USAID leaders, UMANA members Drs. Maria Strus, George Jaskiw, and Taras Mahlay, United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio and others.
ROUNDTABLE WITH AMBASSADOR FROM ESTONIA
On April 24, 2024, leaders from the Ukrainian community and Ukrainian supporters met with the Ambassador from Estonia to the US, Mr. Kristjan Prikk, at Ukrainian Museum – Archives (UMA) in Cleveland.
Mr. Prikk articulated the importance of defeating Russia not only for Ukraine but for the global good, maintaining focus on the defeat of Russia, and spelled out reasons that this is an attainable goal. He welcomed questions from the attendees.
In attendance were UMANA members Drs. Maria Strus, George Jaskiw, and Taras Mahlay (also current museum director), United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (President Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher, Vice President Dr. George Jaskiw, Board members Anna Barrett and Dr. Maria Strus), Andrew Fedynsky (UMA), representatives from the Polish and Latvian community.
