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33 НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ • Листопад 2022 Oksana Lew with Steve Ircha. The Boyko siblings (l-r): Olena, Bohdan, and Lieda. recorded interviews to encour - age UNWLA fundraising efforts; arranged or participated in vocal public protests of companies that have supported the Kremlin and Putin; and actively reached out to key federal and local politicians to enlist their support. Some of us have even politely but tena - ciously disabused others, includ - ing some powerful individuals, who advance pro-Kremlin propa - ganda in Florida and the U.S. We won’t countenance it, just like we wouldn’t suffer those who malign or assault the democratic institu - tions of the U.S., for which many of us or our family members have sacrificed their lives and safety. The members of Branch 56 have been unwavering in their support for Ukraine. Thanks to the tireless efforts and initiative of members like Ivanka Olesnycky, Bohdana Puzyk, Lieda and Olena Boyko, Ksenia Kuz- mycz, Larissa Shpon, Ksenia Ra- kowsky, and many others, Branch 56 has contributed more than $24,800 to the UNWLA Human - itarian Relief Fund and to special projects, like that to raise money for life-saving medical equipment. Our member Olena Boyko has traveled to Ukraine to provide badly needed basic medical sup - plies, and financed the purchase of a much-needed ambulance that she arranged to have import - ed there. She joined her brother, Bohdan, who is also in Ukraine, providing his professional services as a physical therapist and treating victims of russia’s war on Ukraini - ans. Several Branch 56 members, like Vira Bodnaruk and her hus - band, Bohdan, have been respon - sible for generating large individu - al and corporate donations to the UNWLA’s relief efforts. One member, Oksana Lew, has been an exemplar of such advo - cacy. She is responsible for con - tacting her old friends, the Ircha family, whom she described to me as “a kind and giving family, community-oriented,” one that upholds Ukrainian American in - stitutions and supports Ukraine. When russia invaded Ukraine, it became apparent to Oksana that Ukraine would need humanitari - an assistance. As an active mem - ber of Branch 56 and knowing the UNWLA’s great work in support - ing Ukraine, she recommended the UNWLA to Steve Ircha. He is the brother of Suzanne Ircha Johnson, the wife of Woody John - son, who owns the NY Jets. Oksana sparked Steve’s interest in the UNWLA’s work, and he asked her to formally introduce him to UNWLA President Natalie Pawlenko. The rest, as they say, is history! The NY Jets had made a $1 million commitment to support Ukraine by donating $100,000 to ten worthy, reliable causes. Thanks to Oksana’s introduction and ad - vocacy, the NY Jets, Suzanne and Woody Johnson, and Steve Ircha chose the UNWLA as one of the $100,000 recipients. Oksana Lew is duly humbled by their trust in her and our organization. Just like the earliest UNWLA members, like my mother and grandmother before me, we all rose to our organizational mis - sion and moral commitment to care for fellow Ukrainians in our ancestral homeland. We haven’t forgotten that home - land, our heritage, or our legacy. Whether the Kremlin likes it or not, the members of the Ukrainian dias - pora, and these women in particu - lar, are far stronger than Putin. Indeed, Ukraine will not perish.
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