West Babylon Teacher Kicks Off Initiative To Support Ukraine

WEST BABYLON, NY — West Babylon Senior High School students and staff have joined forces with the community to help those in Ukraine.

Spanish teacher Lorenzo Ruiz recently kicked off a drive to collect essential items that will be donated to Ukrainian citizens and refugees — and also launched a T-shirt sales initiative to hep raise additional funds.

In each of the schools around the district, students, staff and community members donated supplies, filling more than 100 boxes with various goods to the Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lindenhurst.

Students in the fashion, marketing, and construction class at West Babylon Senior High School are also making blankets to be sent with care packages, the West Babylon School District said.

But Ruiz said he felt like they needed to do more.

“As an educator, I just couldn’t sit by and do nothing,” Ruiz said. “It’s important to teach our students how we can make a difference and get the community involved in the efforts.”

According to the district, he then launched a T-shirt fundraiser in March, which has raised more than $3,000.

Ruiz, along with his students, created signs with QR codes to purchase the shirts that read “WB Stands with Ukraine.” Small flags are also available for purchase.

His goal is to raise $10,000.

The money will be divided between the local church, World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides meals for refugees, and Airbnb, to help refugees with housing, the district said.