South Brunswick Brandywine Seniors Raise Funds For Ukrainian Refugees

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – As “Escapades producer” for Brandywine Living Princeton, Stephanie Gaber keeps herself busy hosting events for seniors living in the community.

But at an event held recently, seniors from Brandywine Living, located on the border of South Brunswick and Princeton, joined Gaber to host a charity sale for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

“My entire family is from Ukraine, so this really hits close to home for myself and the Ukrainian seniors in our community," Gaber said.

Seniors hosted the fundraiser on March 30 and items for sale included artwork of the Ukrainian flag and sunflowers, blue and gold potted pansies, T-shirts with the Ukrainian flag and a "pray for Ukraine" iron-on.

There was also traditional Ukrainian food for purchase such as pierogies, stuffed cabbage, Ukrainian honey cake and Ukrainian apple cake made by Gaber.

With the fundraiser, Gaber had hoped to raise around $1,000, but she was in for a surprise. "I am so happy, we were able to raise almost $3,000 that will go directly to buy food for the Ukrainian refugees," Gaber said.

The funds will go towards Hope For Ukraine, a Roseland NJ-based organization that was founded to help the families, wounded soldiers and children in the poorest communities of Ukraine. "

Yuriy Boyechko, founder and president of Hope for Ukraine said the turnout for the event was "wonderful." "All proceeds will go directly to buy food for the Ukrainian refugees.”

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, over 4 million people have fled to neighboring countries. The United Nations Refugee Agency said that more than 10.5 million people have been displaced either within Ukraine or abroad as refugees.

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