Tartans for Ukraine

The devastation from the war in Ukraine sparked students, faculty and staff to organize an effort to raise awareness and funds to show support for the people of Ukraine. In March, Holy Cross Social Justice and Campus Ministry organized a week of activities called “Tartans for Ukraine.” Funds were raised through a “Dollar Cash Dash” competition among classes and a Yellow/Blue Tag Day, raising more than $2,000 for the Jesuit Refugee Service. Students also planted the sunflower seeds, the Ukraine national flower, and created origami sunflowers. The week ended with a Prayer Service for all people of Ukraine and remembering especially Holy Cross community members who are from Ukraine. For Holy Cross faculty member Iryna Sirota-Basso, who is from Ukraine, the week was especially heartfelt. She remarked, “From the week filled with meaningful events to daily mornings prayers that include Our Lady of Kyiv, I’m very grateful for everything our community does to bring awareness to the tragedy of the war in Ukraine.”

Holy Cross welcomed Giulia Campanaro McPherson ’95, Director of Advocacy and Operations at the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, to an All-School Assembly in early April to receive the funds raised during “Tartans for Ukraine.” Giulia gave a presentation at the assembly about the work the JRS is doing to support refugees displaced by the war.