Wednesday's parting shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

As seen at St. George's Ukrainian Catholic Church on Seventh Street today ahead of Gov. Hochul's visit...

... here are her remarks following the 6 p.m. mass...

Happening now: I'm giving remarks at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in New York City to show support for our Ukrainian neighbors. https://t.co/rlH7utfP9T

— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) March 3, 2022

How Veselka is helping with Ukraine relief efforts

Photo by Steven

Veselka, which has been serving up traditional Ukrainian food since 1954, has long served as a gathering spot for the city's Ukrainian population. 

And since Russia invaded Ukraine last Thursday, the restaurant on the SE corner of Second Avenue and Ninth Street has seen long lines as New Yorkers have come out to show their solidarity.

"Many of our staff members are Ukrainian. Everyone is up all night, talking to family members," Veselka's third-generation owner Jason Birchard told the Daily Mail. "Some are so distraught, they can't even come to work. They are hanging by a thread, feeling so angry, upset and helpless." 

Veselka accepts donations for Ukraine relief efforts, including cotton socks, heavy-duty gloves, batteries, flashlights and personal health items. (Find a list of items here.) You may drop off the items at the Ninth Street entrance. 

In addition, as announced yesterday, all proceeds from Veselka's borscht sales — in-store and take-out — will go to Ukraine relief...

Veselka has teamed with the Razom For Ukraine organization to handle all donations. 

The restaurant is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ... with a midnight close on weekends.

Monday's parting shot

Photo today on Second Avenue by Grant Shaffer ...

Sunday's parting shot

#StandWithUkraine at Big Bar on Seventh Street today.. thanks to Michael Quinn for the photo...

Saturday's parting shot

Today outside Veselka on Second Avenue and Ninth Street... photo by Derek Berg...

The #SupportUkraine Humanitarian Effort

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its third day, we've heard from readers asking what they can do to help show their support.

The East Village-based Ukrainian Congress Committee of America has launched a #SupportUkraine Humanitarian Effort with AICM-Ukraine. (Link here.)

Andrij V. Dobriansky, director of communications and media at the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, told us that they are working with UN-registered NGOs.

"We are using these donations to get supplies into Ukraine that can be more easily transported: bandages, diapers, emergency pharmaceutical packs — all items in need for refugees making a long journey," he said.

Meanwhile, yesterday, a group of local elected officials, clergy and community leaders gathered at the Ukrainian National Home on Second Avenue between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street to stand in solidarity with Ukrainian New Yorkers.

Today, I rallied with the Ukrainian-American community here in NYC for peace above all else. I stand and will continue to stand with this community and the people of Ukraine throughout this. pic.twitter.com/pXZupKAO1e

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) February 25, 2022

Standing today in solidarity with leaders of NYC's Ukrainian community, calling for action in the face of Putin's reprehensible war.

We want Ukrainian immigration requests expedited, safe passage of relief supplies, and seizure of oligarch's assets in NYC.

Слава Україні.🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/TwjGCQlHHR

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) February 25, 2022

Honored to share space and solidarity with colleagues and friends in Little Ukraine today. We stand resolute with the people of Ukraine and their families demanding immediate action against totalitarian, premeditated war.

Слава Україні. Glory to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/BY4O83D4DC

— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) February 25, 2022

Outside Veselka on Second Avenue and Ninth Street, co-owner Jason Birchard talked with reporters.

"My grandfather started this. He was an immigrant from Ukraine escaping Russian aggression in the 1940s," Birchard told CBS News. "They're frightened, they're scared, there's a state of shock. People don't know what to do. It's not only a war against Ukraine. It's a war against the free world."

Above photos from yesterday by Stacie Joy

Top photo by Steven

'The feeling is shock'

Photo of St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church on 7th Street by N&Lon7th 

As The New York Times points out, NYC is home to more than 150,000 Ukrainians, the largest such community in the country... the East Village and Brighton Beach are among the neighborhoods with large populations of Ukrainian-Americans. Here are some local headlines from the past 24 hours following the Russian invasion of Ukraine yesterday...

• Protesters rally for Ukraine on UES, at East Village church; "Please, help our families" (CBS 2)

St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in the East Village, parishioners gathered to pray for peace. 

Andrij Dobriansky is the church cantor and spokesman for the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. 

 

"The feeling is shock. The feeling is the punch to the stomach," Dobriansky said. "This entire neighborhood was built on the back of refugees, people who know what destruction is, so this is what we've been fearing for the longest time." 

 • "A Time of Worries": New York City's Ukrainians are anxious and afraid (The New York Times) 

• Ukrainians take to the streets in Manhattan (The New York Times) 

• "Stop Putin": Demonstrators at Manhattan rallies voice loud support for Ukraine (NBC 4)

• "They are prepared to fight" — NYC's Ukrainian community watches family and friends brace for invasion (Gothamist) 

 • "It breaks my heart": East Village’s Little Ukraine prays for peace (amNY/The Villager) 

• Ukrainian Americans express anger, sadness as Russia invades (USA Today, includes quote from Veselka owner Tom Birchard) 

• Support Ukrainian-owned businesses by dining at these NYC restaurants (Thrillist) 

Thursday's parting shot

Photo today by Steven...