St. Bernadette Seeks Volunteers For Ukraine Donation Collection

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Evergreen Park is collecting monetary donations and supplies to assist in the humanitarian aid for the people of Ukraine.

Volunteers to assist with the collection of donations for Ukraine relief, before masses this weekend, March 19 and March 20, and on Monday and Tuesday, March 21 and March 22, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the church parking lot by the Quonset hut. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the rectory at 708-422-8995 to sign up.

Monetary donations will benefit Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rzeszow, Poland, which has taken in thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion with just the clothes on their backs, and children and pets in their arms.

“The city of Rzeszow, near the village where my parents live, is the capital of the southwest province of Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine,” said Fr. Benedykt Pazdan, pastor of St. Bernadette Catholic Church. “There is a lot of work being done in the region by Catholic Charities, and other organizations, to provide for the Ukrainian people fleeing the war zone.”

Fr. Pazdan started his seminary studies in Rzeszow, Poland before coming to US. One of His classmates is now the director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Rzeszow, Poland, so it helps to have a personal connection with a trusted organization that will make sure all donations go straight to the right cause.

St. Bernadette Church is partnering with Rotary District 6450, which has a warehouse in Aurora set up to receive, sort and hold all physical donations until each week’s transport to the Poland and Ukraine border. Rotary has secured space on a plane that will carry these collected items each week directly to those who need it most.

“There are folks on the ground in Poland/Ukraine to receive the goods and get them into action quickly,” Fr. Pazdan said.

To make a monetary donation, make checks payable to St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 9343 S. Francisco, Evergreen Park, 60805. Indicate “Ukrainian Relief” in the memo section. Parishioners can bring their donations when they come to Mass the weekend of March 19 and March 20.

The church will also be accepting donations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 21 and March 22. Drop them off at the Quonset hut.

All donated items must be new (unused) and avoid any breakable materials. Relief workers have requested the following items.

Blankets
Diapers/children’s pull-ups (all sizes)
Tampons/sanitary columns
Baby formula
Shampoo
Bar soap
toothpaste/toothbrushes
combs/brushes
underwear (children's)
socks (men's, women's, children's)
disposable razors
Over-the-counter pain relievers (no liquids), such as Advil, Tylenol and Motrin