GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) — On Vyshyvanka Day, a group from the Green Bay area gathered together in their Ukrainian embroidered shirts to express unity with Ukrainians around the world.
"A college student came up with this idea to have a national Vyshyvanka Day," Howard resident Tanya Sushkova said. "So she asked everybody to wear a vyshyvanka."
Sushkova is originally from Western Ukraine. On Thursday, she joined her group "Wisconsin Ukrainians" to celebrate the culture.
"No matter where you live, if you don't live in Ukraine anymore, if you don't speak Ukrainian language but you still have Ukrainian roots, you wear a vyshyvanka and that shows that you're from Ukraine," she said.
But the group also used the day to recognize what's happening in Ukraine after the Russian invasion of the country.
"I'm sad about the war and the things that are happening in Ukraine," Sushkova said. "But I'm happy to unite with so many Ukrainian people here."
The "Wisconsin Ukrainians" packed donations at Green Bay's St. Matthew Orthodox Church. They're preparing another large shipment.
"It's food and it's medical supplies," Sushkova said. "So everything will be packed up and shipped to Ukraine."
Collecting items like gauze and even letters from local students, Sushkova says the effort won't stop.
"We're really hoping that the war will stop as soon as possible obviously and then that we will all pull in together and help rebuild Ukraine," she said.
The group says they're in need of volunteers this weekend to help with all the shipments. Those interested can head to St. Matthew on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The group is also asking for donations of dried food, Quik Clot gauze, chest seals and olive-colored shirts for men. A list of needed supplies can be found here.
