As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, many Connecticut residents have felt helpless more than 4,500 miles away and wondered what they could do to help. A variety of local and state organizations are taking donations, augmenting national and international efforts.

WFSB Channel 3, in partnership with the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, is holding its 3 Cares for Ukraine donation drive on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. Items will be collected at the Ukrainian National Home of Hartford at 961 Wethersfield Ave. and St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church at 569 George St. in New Haven.

There's a big demand for nonperishable food, Channel 3 said. Other items needed include new clothing and shoes, thermal underwear, feminine hygiene products, blankets, bedding, disposable tableware, first aid kits, tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, standalone lamps, candles and containers for liquids, with a capacity for 10 to 20 liters.

Items needed for new mothers and newborns include postpartum pads and underwear, peri bottles, perineal ice packs, manual breast pumps, bottles, diapers, pacifiers, travel-sized diaper creams and baby soap.

Channel 3 said truckers will transport the items to New Jersey, where they will be put on a plane to Poland, taken to the Poland/Ukraine border and given to Ukrainian relief organizations.

People also can deliver cash or checks on site, donate online at uuarc.org or donate to UUARC's GoFundMe page at bit.ly/uuarcgfm.

In the Diocese of Norwich, Bishop Michael Cote is asking all pastors to take up a voluntary collection on March 12 to 13, the Second Sunday of Lent, to help humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. Cote authorized this appeal in conjunction with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishop Jeffrey Monforton, chairman of the conference's Subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, said in a statement that the USCCB is "uniquely positioned to provide aid to the region, having built strong relationships with brother bishops there these last 30 years."

On-the-ground response

Americares, a global disaster response nonprofit based in Stamford, said in a news release Wednesday that an emergency response team — based in Krakow, Poland — will support health services for families impacted by the crisis.

"There's an urgent need for medicine and medical supplies as well as basic relief items to protect health," Americares Vice President of Emergency Programs Kate Dischino said. "At the same time, Ukraine is battling rapidly rising COVID-19 infections and a polio outbreak. It's a humanitarian crisis with immense health needs and we're ready to help."

Americares has medical teams with physicians, nurses and other medical professionals, and the organization is working with the World Health Organization, regional health agencies and response organizations. People can donate at americares.org/ukraine.

Save the Children US, based in Fairfield, is taking donations online to its Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. The nonprofit said it's working with migrants and asylum seekers at reception centers in Romania.

Teams also are conducting needs assessments at refugee camps in Romania "and preparing to distribute essential items and set up spaces where children have a safe place to play, learn and cope with grief and loss." The organization also is assessing needs in Poland and Lithuania.

Businesses show support

In Norwich, AZ Pawn — which has made headlines recently for the rocket mounted on its roof with the message "To Russia with Love" — is taking donations for the Relief for Ukraine Refugees Fund that owner Phil Pavone started.

Pavone said he will be corresponding with a former local priest who relocated to Warsaw, Poland, and volunteers there, who are part of a program that is taking in Ukrainian refugees and providing them with housing, food, clothing, schooling and psychological help. People who want to donate can send a check to Relief for Ukraine Refugees Fund, 442 East Main St., Norwich, CT 06360.

Avery's Soda in New Britain created a "Putin Punch" soda, with the label showing the Russian president being punched by a boxing glove the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The company said that as of Friday morning, it had donated more than $3,500 to the Ukrainian Red Cross.

People can directly donate to the Ukrainian Red Cross by visiting redcross.org.ua/donate and clicking the "Donations from outside the Ukraine button."

A.M. Bagel in Derby, whose co-owner is from Ukraine, held a benefit Saturday with yellow and blue bagels, with all proceeds from the day being donated to the UUARC.

More places to donate

United Help Ukraine, which formed in 2014 after the Russian annexation of Crimea, is taking donations at unitedhelpukraine.org. The organization's focus is on providing medical supplies and clothing, helping wounded Ukrainian soldiers and raising awareness through rallies and protests.

World Central Kitchen, founded by Spanish-American Chef Jose Andres, has volunteers and partner restaurants distributing meals at multiple border crossings. People can donate at wck.org.

Other places people can donate include the United Way's United for Ukraine Fund, Doctors Without Borders, International Medical Corps, UNICEF, Global Empowerment Mission and International Rescue Committee.

e.moser@theday.com