Rocmaidan marks 12 years of helping Ukraine with fundraising gala in Rochester

Rochester, New York – An evening of fundraising brought supporters together in Rochester as Rocmaidan marked 12 years of sending medical supplies and humanitarian assistance to people in Ukraine.

Founded in 2014 as an affiliate of the Ukrainian Cultural Center of Rochester, the organization held a gala featuring a cocktail hour, dinner, entertainment and a guest speaker. The event helped raise money to continue its aid efforts.

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Support from the greater Rochester community has been part of that work. Since 2022, Rocmaidan and local supporters have donated and shipped thousands of items, including medical beds, crutches, walkers, medical backpacks and wheelchairs.

For board secretary Elena Dilai, the anniversary reflected a need that has continued far longer than the organization’s founders expected.

“When we started the organization, we didn’t think there would be a need 12 years later, but here we are. Ukrainians are bombed today much more than they ever have in an uncertain political arena. People are suffering very, very much, so our goal is to raise money and to help Ukrainians to survive this war,” said Elena Dilai, Board Secretary.

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Dilai also spoke about the people behind the donations. While many supporters have relatives or friends in Ukraine, she said the response from Rochester residents without personal ties to the country has been particularly meaningful.

“It makes me feel very happy that there are people that recognize Ukrainians need support, so those of us who are Ukrainian descent, of course, for us that support is very natural because we still have friends and relatives in Ukraine who really need our help. But to see our peers, Rochesterians who don’t have any ties to Ukraine but believe in the importance of this cause, the importance of helping Ukrainians survive the war, it’s very, very heartwarming.”

The gala brought that support together around a shared purpose. As Rocmaidan marked its anniversary, fundraising remained focused on continuing the medical and humanitarian assistance that has defined its work since 2014.