Congregations Across Michigan’s Largest Episcopal Diocese Raise $161,300 for Ukraine Humanitarian Relief
Total donated is one of the largest single humanitarian fundraisers spearheaded by the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
DETROIT, Mich., July 27, 2022 — At St. Stephen’s in Wyandotte, the youth group collected returnable bottles and cans. In Cambridge Junction, members of St. Michael and All Angels sold homemade glass mugs. And in Brighton, the congregation of St. Paul’s redoubled their refugee assistance efforts to join a bigger cause.
In ways large and small, thousands of people across the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan pitched in to raise $161,300 for those suffering in Ukraine, one of the largest single humanitarian fundraising efforts the diocese has ever held.
“I am in awe of what we have achieved working and caring together,” said Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.
On April 18, the diocese, in conjunction with Diocesan Council and the Deans of the Diocese, launched a fundraising effort to help the people of Ukraine. With $50,000 of seed money from the diocese, congregations stretching from Lansing to Hillsdale to metropolitan Detroit launched fundraising efforts in their communities.
St. Stephen’s in Wyandotte wanted to do all it could to support Ukraine, so the vestry decided to match all donations up to $500, said Rev. Andrea Morrow, pastor of St. Stephen’s Wyandotte. Together with the diocesan match, that meant each dollar given was quadrupled.
“Then, our Youth Ministry director got the kids involved with a ‘U Can Help Ukraine’ can and bottle drive and we arranged a match for those funds up to $500 as well,” said Morrow.
St. Paul’s in Brighton has had a commitment to refugee assistance for a long time, said Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht, pastor of St. Paul’s Brighton. “But when Bishop Perry launched 50 Days for Ukraine, and offered to match donations up to $50,000, we felt that by joining this effort our dollars could go further. We felt we could be bigger than ourselves,” she said.
The single largest contribution came from the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit, which donated $25,000.
Funds raised will be sent to Episcopal Relief & Development (www.episcopalrelief.org/ukraine-crisis), which is working with other ecumenical agencies to provide humanitarian aid and meeting critical needs for people fleeing the violence in Ukraine, including food, cash, blankets, and hygiene supplies.
Any further funds raised, or sent, will be forwarded to Episcopal Relief & Development.