Cape May Shelters Lutsk, Ukraine

Vesna Palifrova, from Crest Savings Bank, has a brother Zoran in Lutsk, Ukraine, who, with his wife Tatiana, runs several shelters. Shirley Phinney, the owner of Elaine’s, immediately donated $10,000 and hosted several fundraising events. Charity Clark, Broker of Cape Resorts Realty, and Patrick McGonigal, a local philanthropist, joined forces and formed a 501(c)3 corporation: Cape May Shelters Lutsk, Inc. Since last year, they have raised $500,000.

These Cape May locals have been to the Ukraine border to deliver clothes and supplies. They did a live broadcast from the wall to Harpoons on the Bay, Exit Zero, Exit Zero Ferry Station, and Elaine’s.

This charity has been on the front page of the Atlantic City Press and covered in Cape May Magazine, the Herald, Action News, and the Cape May Locals radio show. They have used the money to get trucks filled with food, medical supplies and wheelchairs and even paid Russian soldiers to release hostages. Members of the Ukraine Parliament have asked where this Cape May is. They have asked us to send supplies to newly liberated towns. Our shelters have shared and taken these trucks to folks who had been living on rainwater for months. 100% donated! Cape May is saving lives!