Excela launches aid campaign with Ukrainian-inspired menu

Krystyna Lewczenko couldn’t be more proud of her nieces.

Originally from Wroclaw in southwestern Poland, Lewczenko said he recently drove to the Ukrainian border to help accommodate some of the women and children fleeing the country as the Russian invasion continues to claim casualties. and displace citizens.

“They got together with a friend, who has a house that she’s not doing much with right now,” Lewczenko said. “My nieces helped furnish the house with the help of other local families, and they prepared supplies, food, everything.”

Lewczenko is a cashier at Excela Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, where she has worked for a decade. This week she was able to offer her own support to those affected by war, helping to choose Tuesday’s Ukrainian-influenced menu at the hospital as Excela launches a fundraising campaign to support humanitarian aid in this war-torn country.

“My husband’s grandfather emigrated to Poland from Ukraine, and that’s why my last name is Ukrainian,” Lewczenko said. “I’m from Poland and Ukraine has a similar food history.”

Visitors and staff could choose from Chicken Kyiv (chicken breaded and stuffed with butter), holubtsi (stuffed cabbage), varenyky (potato pierogies), deruni (potato pancakes) and nalysnyky ( stuffed pancakes).

“I think the idea of ​​doing this was to help the employees show their solidarity with Ukraine, and also to be a visual kick-start to the fundraising campaign,” the racket said. word of Excel, Robin Jennings. “Our donations will be channeled through Brother’s Brother, an organization that already has an international humanitarian aid mechanism.”

Lewczenko is happy that her family is helping her in an even more direct way.

“Now the whole neighborhood takes care of the refugees in the house, donates food, clothes and organizes playtime for the children,” she said.

Check donations to Excela’s Relief Campaign can be sent to The Westmoreland/Frick Hospital Foundation, 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601, noting “Ukraine Relief Fund” in the memo line.