Ukraine Support Rally Planned On Long Island On Saturday

EAST SETAUKET, NY — A group of Long Island activists have organized a peace rally and donation drive on Saturday to help the people of Ukraine who are facing the aftermath of the Russian invasion.

The "Stand with Ukraine" rally will run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on the southeast corner of Route 25A and Bennetts Road in Setauket. Orgnizers will also be collecting donations of clothing and other items for Ukrainian refugees, and they will be delivered to the Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in West Islip. The church has been gathering supplies that will be flown to refugee camps in Poland.

"We invite you to join in the effort to provide humanitarian aid to the hundreds of thousands of people leaving all they have to escape the war," reads a flyer from the Patchogue Peace Action Project and the Long Island Peace Poles Project Group.

Supplies that are needed include:

• New/lightly-used clothing
• Socks
• Hats
• Scarves
• Gloves
• Footwear
• Nonperishable food
• Baby formula
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Blankets
• Sleeping bags
• Thermal underwear
• Thermoses
• First aid kits
• Tylenol and Advil

Organizers are asking residents to spead the word, according to an email from the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

"Thank you for standing with Ukraine," read a flyer. "Hope to see you this Saturday 'at the corner.'"

The Patchogue Chamber of Commerce Foundation office at 15 North Ocean Ave. will serve as one of the collection points to collect supplies. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office will collect items for as long as they are needed and being shipped.

In a Facebook post, the North Country Peace Group said for anyone who might miss the rally Saturday, the church will be open accepting donations next week Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.. It is located at: 64 Higbie Ln., West Islip.