News and Events from around the County

The Ukraine fundraiser held at Madison Hall in Morrisville on Nov. 2 served two purposes:

1. The first purpose was to raise money to suppor

t the people of Ukraine in their efforts to be free, as well as support some of the refugees in our own community. Thank you to everyone who attended, and thank you if you were able to make a monetary contribution.

2. The second purpose was to increase awareness of why it is important to support Ukraine in this conflict. Our two speakers delivered compelling reasons why.

Professor Nancy Ries of Colgate spoke of the present Russian regime as not just being authoritarian but extremist. Early on in Vladimir Putin’s takeover, false flag operations were used against the Russian people in which many lives were lost. The purpose of these operations were to galvanize public opinion against supposed enemies. Through control of the media, the Russian people have been acclimatized to persecution of minorities and dissidents. Criticism is criminal. Scenes of cruelty against the people of Ukraine are offered up as entertainment on television.

Professor Tetiana Hranchak of the Maxwell School at Syracuse University explained why Putin is hardly the entire problem. Many people in Russia share his view of the world. Russia has a history of invading its neighbors and subjugating them, dating back to the 1400s. The goal of Russia is to dominate governments stretching all the way from its Pacific coast to the coast of Spain on the Atlantic Ocean. The people of Europe take this threat very seriously. It explains why European governments support Ukraine and why Finland and Norway were so quick to join NATO after the Ukraine invasion three years ago.

Here is a recap of the organizations for which we advocated at the fundraiser, plus another one supported by Professor Hranchak:

RAZOM – emergency response medical and hospital supplies, relief support to vulnerable communities, arts and cultural sponsorship, and advocacy for U.S. Support of Ukraine.

American Library Association Ukraine Library Relief Fund – Supporting the Ukraine Library Association in reconstructing libraries damaged by Russian aggression.

Resource Center for Refugees in the Mohawk Valley (The Center) – immigration and citizenship assistance, with interpretation, translation, employment and workforce development, health access assistance and more.

Come Back Alive – They comprehensively equip the defense forces of Ukraine with everything from vehicles to grenade launchers, as well as implement educational projects for the military.