F-M Volunteers Raise Much-Needed Money for Ukrainian Refugees

The final total has not yet been confirmed, but the event raised at least $10,000 for refugees and their families.

MOORHEAD, MN – Dmytro Selchenko is one of many Ukrainians who was forced to flee his native country when Russia invaded.

He settled in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and began working for TrueNorth Steel, a company that has been eager to put refugees on their payroll.

“We have 8 Ukrainian employees and their families that really are counting on our community, so this is really important to them,” said Kellie Carlson, Vice President of Human Resources for TrueNorth.

But while Dmytro is a relatively new arrival stateside and thus has work authorization for a while longer, many of his countrymen are not so lucky.

That’s why F-M Volunteers for Ukraine organized their first-ever public fundraiser, held at Gooseberry Park in Moorhead.

There was traditional Ukrainian music, a buffet with national dishes, and Ukrainian artists showing off their creations.

Dmytro and his wife, Yuliia, were amazed to see all the ways Ukraine was represented.

The fundraiser was intended to help provide economic relief for refugees who cannot legally find work.

“We have families that have not been working here in Moorhead for over five months, they’ve been waiting for document renewal for 9 months or more, and that’s very difficult,” said the leader of F-M Volunteers for Ukraine, Michael Southam.

But it was also meant to let them know the community has not forgotten their struggle and wants them to stay in Fargo-Moorhead.

That’s a sentiment the Ukrainians said came through loud and clear.

“We have a big community with American people, with volunteers, Ukrainian people – everybody’s made for the Ukrainian people something for which we are so, so appreciative,” said Yuliia.

The money is still being counted, but F-M Volunteers for Ukraine did confirm that they raised over $5k at the event, which will be matched by an anonymous donor – so at least 10 thousand dollars has been raised for the refugees.