CARLSVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – It’s cherry season in Door County and an orchard in Carlsville is helping make a difference for those in Ukraine.
It’s now been more than five months since Russia invaded the country.
“I’m from the city that was bombed on Thursday,” said Oksana Kobzar, secretary of Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc.
Kobzar is from Ukraine and moved to Wisconsin in 2000. She’s from the city of Vinnytsia, where 23 people died, and dozens more injured after an attack this past week.
“It’s very difficult when you see your own native city. That square is the place where I went to the university, that’s where you meet your friends. It is very hard.”
On Sunday, Kobzar was out picking cherries with other volunteers to help raise money for her country.
Susan Barnard is the owner of Barnard Farms in Carlsville. Barnard Farms teamed up with Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. to create “Pick Cherries for Ukraine.”
She tells FOX 11 there are two ways to help.
“The first way is if you want to volunteer your time and pick some cherries, I will make a donation to Wisconsin Ukrainians. If you want to pick your own cherries and take them home, it’s $14 a bucket, and half that money will go to Wisconsin Ukrainians.”
Barnard isn’t from Ukraine, but has a special connection to it. She has hired temporary agricultural workers from Ukraine in the past to pick cherries.
“It’s an opportunity for people from other parts of the world to come to the United States and be employed in agriculture.”
A lot of the money collected during “Pick Cherries for Ukraine,” will go toward medical supplies like combat medic bags.
“These are really expensive. They retail for about $900,” said Jon Pylypiv, a volunteer. “All these little pouches have multiple tourniquets, different gauze, bandages.”
Pylypiv was also born in Ukraine. He moved to the U.S. when he was 8-years-old.
“I know the life I experienced in Ukraine, but I also know the freedom that people want in Ukraine, because my family and friends, they all want that freedom,” said Pylypiv.
The national fruit of Ukraine actually happens to be the cherry. Kobzar says the cherry orchards in Door County, remind her of home.
“When you look at Ukrainian embroidery, a lot of red colors and the region Podolia, that I’m from, it’s all cherry orchards and apple orchards,” said Kobzar.
“Pick Cherries for Ukraine” will go until the picking season is over. Barnard Farms is hoping it will last into next week.
At the end of this “Pick Cherries for Ukraine,” Wisconsin Ukrainians will release the total amount raised for humanitarian aid.
