State College shows solidarity with Ukraine through art, supply drive and donations
A new campaign spearheaded by State College businesses hopes to show support and serve Ukrainians both in Happy Valley and across the globe.
Throughout August, the Downtown State College Improvement District is hosting a Sunflower Solidarity with Ukraine initiative. The monthlong drive will collect goods for local refugees and raise money for a not-for-profit organization that is making an impact abroad as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine persists.
“We’re trying to bring the community together to support local refugees,” said Lee Anne Jeffries, the DSCID’s executive director. “I don’t think people often realize that there’s that need here in our area. We’re thinking, ‘How can we help on the ground in Ukraine, and how can we help locally?’ ”
In collaboration with the Mid-State Literacy Council, the DSCID will host a supply donation drive from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 13, in State College’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. The effort aims to collect food, baby supplies, sporting equipment, new clothing and new shoes. Organizers especially seek gift card donations for local establishments that would allow resettled families to purchase goods that directly meet their needs.
Jeffries said those who can’t attend the mid-August supply drive are welcome to drop off donations at the DSCID’s office at 127 S. Fraser St. during business hours.
“People here want to help, and although this war feels a world away from us, we’re all feeling it,” Jeffries said. “Being able to come together to help in some way, or at least show our solidarity with the Ukrainian people, is important. The response we’ve received has been immense, and it’s a great feeling.”
Broadening efforts past Happy Valley, August’s solidarity efforts will also raise funds for World Central Kitchen. Since its founding in 2010, the not-for-profit operation has worked to provide free meals for those affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. On July 17, World Central Kitchen announced it had served more than 100 million meals to those affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine alone.
QR codes linking to World Central Kitchen’s website will accompany about two dozen sunflower paintings displayed in storefront windows throughout downtown State College. Some establishments, including Growing Tree Toys, 3 Dots Downtown, Kitchen Kaboodle and the DSCID office, will collect cash donations through marked boxes.
As the national flower of Ukraine, sunflowers have taken on a new meaning of resistance and hope in the months following Russia’s initial invasion. This summer, local artists and those involved in businesses and nonprofits hope to use a sunflower motif to share continuing supporting and raise awareness for Ukraine as conflict in eastern Europe continues.
“So often, things are hot in the news for a minute. But if you’re not the one dealing with it on a daily basis, it becomes something that fades to the background,” said Erica Quinn, 3 Dots’ executive director. “The arts can invite conversations that are critical but might be difficult. People might feel like a political or heavy conversation is something they might opt out of, but it’s a way to engage a real inter-generational audience. We want to invite more dialogues and put a spotlight on these issues.”
As a member of the DSCID’s retail advisory committee, Quinn helped bring State College’s solidarity initiative to life. She said leaders in the borough hoped to shed light on the effects of conflict in Ukraine — a goal that easily aligns with her work at 3 Dots.
“We’re such a haven for artists, and we have a real social mission,” Quinn said. “We think of ourselves as a place where people are treated with a lot of integrity, and we recognize the humanity of all people. We’re delighted to participate in a cause as important as this.”
State College’s solidarity initiative is also made possible thanks to contributions from the Mid-State Literacy Council, which provides literacy and education services to local refugees from around the globe. Amy Wilson, the nonprofit’s executive director, said State College establishments were eager to work together to help those in need.
“Businesses here are very enthusiastic about wanting to help people and meet their needs,” Wilson said. “It’s an enormous adjustment to move to a new country and leave a lot behind, but these resources will make a real impact for those in need.”
“It’s amazing how many artists are excited to create something beautiful and symbolic,” she continued. “This is the latest sign that State College has a wonderful downtown community.”
Neither Wilson nor Jeffries could offer any specifics surrounding the number of regional Ukrainian refugees this summer’s campaign will directly assist. The Centre Coalition for Ukraine, an unrelated but local humanitarian effort, said it is currently working to provide housing and related services for 10 Ukrainian refugees in the Centre Region.
To learn more about State College’s Sunflower Solidarity initiative, visit the DSCID’s website.
This story was originally published July 30, 2022 at 11:03 AM.
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