Naples community raising funds to help local Ukrainian families

A church in Naples is collecting donations to help those stuck in Ukraine escape.

Celebration Beach Church is on a mission to help local Ukrainian families get their loved ones out of the war zone.

“Any time we see evil, the only way we can combat that evil is to do good,” said Pastor Gene Scott.

Scott said his congregation wanted to think out of the box and to offer a different kind of help so they reached out to the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Mission Parish.

“We said ‘why don’t we just localize the focus and try to help local Ukrainian families here in SWFL,'” Scott said.

The goal is to raise $25,000. Every penny will go to the Ukrainian Mission.

They will then deliver the money to local Ukrainian families with the goal of trying to help family and friends escape the fighting.

“They are using those financial resources to be able to provide opportunities,” Scott said. “Many of these are under the radar. It’s very heroine it just breaks your heart when they talk about the process that they are having to follow to try to get families members and friends out of Ukraine.”

The process isn’t easy but Scott hopes the money will help.

“We also call upon everyone in Southwest Florida to pray,” Scott said. “We believe very strongly in the power of prayer in combating evil.”

If you would like to help, you can reach out to Celebration Beach Church or Pastor Scott at 239-777-4749.

Submit