Ferndale Businesses Collecting Items to Send to Ukraine, Hosting Candlelight Vigil

(SOAR, March 6, 2022)

Ferndale, MI – The South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce (SOAR) today announced the beginning of a community collection effort running through March 18 in support of providing relief for Ukraine. The effort is conducted in partnership with Blumz by JR Designs, Level One Bank Ferndale and the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority (Ferndale DDA), and with the help of American Ukraine Support Foundation.

With a population of 39,000, Michigan has the ninth-largest amount of Ukrainian American residents, with most concentrated in Southeast Michigan.

“It is important that we recognize the horrific plight of the Ukrainian people in this moment, and support them by any means possible,” said Joy Wells, President and CEO of SOAR. “Alongside our dedicated partners, we will collect critical goods that are most needed by the more than one million Ukrainians who are currently displaced.”

Clothing, toiletries, camping gear, food and medical supplies are currently the most-needed goods, and donations of these items can be made at Blumz from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Blumz is also accepted monetary donations that will go directly to funding the air shipping and truck drivers delivering the supplies in the Ukraine.

“We are very humbled and honored to be able to assist with this humanitarian effort. It touches us personally as we have family members with relatives in the Ukraine,” said Jerome Raska, owner of Blumz by JR Designs. “This is a very difficult time, and we feel this is the very least we could do to assist. We look forward to the community’s outpouring of support.”

Level One Bank is also accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Helping others should just be a part of our fabric and come naturally. It never should be a question of why should we do something, but how are we going to get it done,” said Blake Scheer, Market Development Manager of Level One Bank Ferndale. “Small amounts by many can make the greatest impact!

On the evening of March 18, there will be a candle vigil held beginning at 7 p.m in Ferndale City Hall Municipal Parking Lot #11, between the Ferndale Library and City Hall.

“The businesses in downtown Ferndale and beyond continue to selflessly help in a time of need,” said Sommer Realy, Engagement Manager of the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority.