A local Escondido resident, Ukraine-born pharmacist is leading a shoe drive to benefit nonprofit Nova Ukraine, collecting gently used and new shoes of all types and sizes to raise money for essential medical supplies and medications. Funds2orgs.com will purchase the shoes and distribute them to third-world countries as well as Ukraine.
NovaUkraine.org is a nonprofit that provides humanitarian relief to the country. The organization is doing everything from supporting soup kitchens and medical professionals to helping refugees flee the country.
In partnership with Palomar hospital, Novak will be collecting shoes on Sunday, May 29 from noon to 4 p.m. at 2125 Citracado Parkway, Escondido, CA 92029 (Medical Office Building 1, Parking Lot South). Look for a blue tent with an Ukrainian flag.
Novak immigrated to the United States in 1996, but her parents still live in the outskirts of the war-destroyed port city of Mariupol.
“I am heartbroken to hear about lost lives of those who I grew up with,” said Yuliya who is now a pharmacy manager at Scripps Health and a COVID vaccinator for San Diego County. “I keep thinking of how blessed I am to live in this beautiful multicultural city of San Diego. I want to help my countrymen as much as I can and hope San Diegans will join me.”
Donations can additionally be dropped off at:
• St. Mark Golf Country Club Entrance – 1750 San Pablo Dr, San Marcos, 92078
• Lakehouse Hotel & Resort – 1025 La Bonita Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078 (front office)
• Self Made Training Facility – 803 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078
• Help Ukraine Now – 7550 Miramar Rd, Unit 630 back M-F 5-8 pm, Sat-Sun 9 am – 1pm
• Skin by Crystal Dawn at Blush and Co – 2110 S Coast Hwy, Suite B, Oceanside, CA 92054 Mon – Thu 10 am – 8 pm
• San Diego Marina – 2805 Dickens St. Suite 103, SD, CA 92106
Nova Ukraine is looking for more local businesses, schools, churches, community organizations to serve as Shoe Drop Off locations. Contact Yuliya Novak directly at (858) 337-0575 or Yuliya.novak@yahoo.com to help.
