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26 OUR LIFE • November 2022 participants. Archbishop Gudziak organized youth in the U.S., while Lesya organized youth in Ukraine. She also remains very involved with the Youth for Christ organ - ization. War in Ukraine When the recent war broke out in Ukraine, Lesya trans - formed her foundation into a humanitarian aid organi - zation for soldiers and refugees. Funding from Europe - an partners doubled, and Romania, Poland, and Croatia joined the partnership. Funds were raised to send need - ed items to the front. For example, Bautzen, a town in Germany, held a concert and dedicated the proceeds to the foundation. This was repeated many times. An ar - ray of items came from different partners: T-shirts and socks, computers, helmets, body armor, thermal imag - ers, beds, ladders, and body bags. Most recently, the foundation has been purchasing much-needed drones and quadcopters and sending them to the front. These donated items continue to be sent to various units throughout Ukraine. Lesya continues to lead the organ - ization, working tirelessly with her crew from morning until night despite her 78 years. Her dedication is unwa - vering. The foundation publishes a monthly newsletter reporting all its activities and donations, which can be viewed at this link: https://stwf.org.ua. Lesya’s Family Today Lesya’s daughter Ivanna followed in her mother’s foot - steps as an artist. She is an iconographer and is consid - ered one of the best in Ukraine. Most recently, together with a fellow artist, she adorned the walls of the chapel at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv with her icons. Ivanna’s oldest daughter, Clementia, is a photojournalist. She bravely captured photos of the Maidan Revolution of Dignity and was invited to display them at Syracuse University here in the U.S. For her work she was awarded a prize by the New York Times . Ivanna’s daughter Mag - dalena completed her theological studies and works as a missionary in Italy. Ivanna’s youngest daughter, Emilia, who is just 14, volunteers with the children of refugees who are traumatized by the war. Finally, Ivanna’s sons, Artem and Dmytro, are heroes. Both brothers volun - Lesya’s grandson Artem Dymyd, killed June 18 near Donetsk. Lesya’s crew delivering supplies to Bucha. teered to join the Ukrainian armed forces. Ar - tem was killed on June 18, fighting russia in the Donbas. Dmytro continues to fight despite the loss of his older brother. Lesya is very proud of her grandchildren, although the pain of losing her oldest grandson has been difficult to bear. Tribute and Lesya’s Words Tribute and Lesya’s Words Lesya’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 2015, she was honored with the Order of Princess Olha medal presented to her by President Pet - ro Poroshenko. The medal recognizes Ukraini - an women for their outstanding work and con - tributions in national, educational, cultural, and charitable spheres, as well as public work and other social activities that benefit the ed - ucation of children and families. On the eve of February 24, when russia invad - ed Ukraine, Lesya wrote these words to me: “Our perpetual enemy has once again decided to invade and attack our country on all fronts in order to frighten us. But we will fight back and overcome. Our experience from our UPA [Ukrainian Insurgent Army from WWII] is with us. Don’t be afraid for us. Pray and believe. God is holding His hand over Ukraine. Our ancestors, our heroes in heaven, they are our heavenly army. Stay united and fight in your own way. I believe in а great and worthy future for our nation.” When I told Lesya about our UNWLA and described the work we are currently doing, her immediate comment was, “Українське жіноцтво то страшна сила!” (Ukrainian wom - anhood is a tremendous force). I could not agree more.
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