Community Corner
Ocean County Ukrainian Church Collecting Donations To Help Ukraine War Victims
St. Stephen's Ukrainian Church is collecting donations for Ukraine's war victims. Here's how you can help.

Updated, 5:30 p.m. March 6
TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Ukrainian church in Toms River is collecting donations to assist the people of Ukraine in the midst of the humanitarian crisis created by the Russian invasion.
St. Stephen’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at 1334 White Oak Bottom Road is welcoming donations of essential supplies, the church website says.
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In addition, the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, which is the archdiocese of the local Ukrainian churches, is accepting monetary donations for the War Victims and Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine fund via PayPal, the church said.
The church on Sunday updated the list of items needed. They are collecting donations Monday. They also need volunteers to help pack items for shipping, on Monday at 3 p.m. and Wednesday at 10 a.m.
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Essential items still needed include:
- Sleeping bags
- Over-the-counter medicines for adults and children
- Flashlights and batteries
- First aid kits
- Paper plates and plastic cutlery
- Toiletries for adults and children
"NO MORE CLOTHING PLEASE!" church officials said.
If you have shipping boxes and tape to donate, please drop off ASAP.
The following items cannot be sent to Ukraine
- Alcohol and products with alcohol
- Perishable food
- Knives and ammunition
- Aerosols
- Compressed air or gas cylinders
- Camping stoves
- Matches
- Perfume/aftershave
- Prescription drugs
Rev. Volodymyr Popyk, pastor of St. Stephen, said people can drop off supplies in the rear of the church on White Oak Bottom Road.
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