By Katie Vasquez
Father Michael Perry has prepared to ship many boxes of goods to Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in 2021.
“They have nothing. Nothing. Everything is destroyed. Everything,” Father Michael Perry, the pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Refuge Church in Brooklyn.
So far the former pastor has sent activities for children, tents, blankets, a wood burning stove, toiletries and other items to help those torn apart by the war.
“I’ve been sending packages and packages of wool and knitting stuff, which is really good because a lot of the older people, especially the older ladies, they can’t go through the rubble, but they can knit,” explained Father Perry.
It’s a personal mission for Father Perry as all of his grandparents immigrated from Ukraine.
It’s also why he decided to wear the blue and yellow colors of the country’s flag until the war ends.
“I’m 100% Ukrainian and also 100% American. I love this country more than I love Ukraine. But the people in the Ukraine are my people, and they’re suffering terribly,” said Father Perry.
This effort doesn’t come cheap, and the retired priest has dipped into his own fixed income to fund all the items.
“I just took out another month of my retirement to pay for this shipment,” said Father Perry.
He hopes his prayers will help all those suffering.
“It’s going to help people maintain their dignity,” said Father Perry, “they’re destroying their cities, and their towns. Never destroy our dignity. Never.”
It will take about six weeks for the boxes to reach Ukraine.