UVU students create a fund to support Ukraine

OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University students have created a fund for Ukraine to deliver supplies and food. The first round of supplies purchased with help of these donations will be delivered to the border Thursday or Friday. Its efforts are led by Lina Varionova, a Ukrainian international student at UVU.

“We have a great amazing community of Ukrainians here.”

When you have people to support you it can make a difference.

“They have been by my side since day one,” Varionova said. “Most of my friends are still in Ukraine, a lot of them in Kyiv.”

Lina Varionova has leaned on her UVU students as she has watched the invasion in her home country

“You know when your heart sinks, and you feel empty. It’s that feeling but it just doesn’t go away.”

She’s in daily communication with people back home.

“My people are the bravest people in the world and I think they are the most generous.

She helped create this fund here at UVU to get supplies to people who need it in the war zone trying to do what she can to support them while stateside.

“I don’t think I have ever seen people come together as greatly as they have today.”