Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity Christmas raffle to benefit Ukrainian orphans

Alle-Kiski Valley residents interested in winning a decorated Christmas tree, wreath or menorah have a chance to do that while also helping the youngest victims of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Two Christmas trees, a wreath and a menorah are up for raffle at Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in New Kensington. The raffle will run until Dec. 10, when the winners will be selected, said Habitat Executive Director John Tamiggi.

Two tickets cost $1. They will be available at the store, 225 Freeport St., across from Sheetz. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

Raffle proceeds will go to an orphanage in Stryj, a city in western Ukraine.

Tamiggi said organizers hope to raise at least $1,000.

“We’re going to try to raise all the money we can,” he said.

On Wednesday, 15 students from Tamiggi’s class at Point Park University came to ReStore to build and decorate the trees, which were donated by Lowe’s Home Improvement.

The students, all freshmen, are enrolled in Point Park’s first-year experience class, known as “University 101,” said Heather Starr Fiedler, who chairs the Department of Community Engagement and Leadership and oversees the course. Tamiggi is one of 20 instructors.

The course covers topics such as study skills, critical thinking, diversity and inclusion, social issues and financial literacy.

“We pack a lot in,” Fiedler said.

It also includes a service learning project.

“Any opportunity we have to show our students the world outside of the university and the needs of other communities is really important and impactful,” Fiedler said. “It’s really neat to see each year what the students do.”

The students were greeted by the Rev. Yaroslav Koval, a native of Ukraine and pastor of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Arnold. He played videos on his phone of Julia Yrychuk, director of the orphanage that the tree raffle will benefit, and two of its 12 young residents.

When Koval asked the students what their goal or plan was, a few said they want to make the trees look as nice as possible, or as cool as possible, so people will want them.

Because of the war, Koval said, thousands of children have been killed, wounded or orphaned. The survivors have injuries that are physical and psychological, and they will need help to heal from the scars to their bodies and souls.

“It’s a big challenge for all of us,” he said.

Koval said he plans to send gifts to the children in hope of bringing them some happiness.

“This is my job: to make connections, to create connections,” he said.