By: Cathy Padilla | March 20, 2022 | Philanthropy , Local | Colts Neck
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FEATURED PHOTO: From left: Santino, Domenica, and Deeko Rudko pause for a photo while packing boxes for the people of Ukraine in memory of their father, Andrij “Dee” Rudko.
As many know in and around Colts Neck, the Rudko family recently suffered a great loss when Andrij “Dee” Rudko, a loving father and devoted husband, passed away.
What some may not know is that Dee was a first generation American of Ukrainian descent. The tragic war taking place in Ukraine has caused the Rudko family much distress, and feeling the pain of the Ukrainian people, Dee’s wife, Sunny, and their three children, Santino, Deeko, and Domenica, sprang into action to find a way to help. Together, in Dee’s memory, the family created a flyer in the colors of the Ukrainian National Flag to begin a donation drive to help those in need.
“The tragic war on our family’s roots has truly hit home,” shared Sunny. “Dee was incredibly proud of his heritage and often taught the children stories of how the people of Ukraine gained freedom and their important role in the world economy. It’s been very difficult for the kids and I to process all that is happening in Ukraine. It’s bringing up lots of feelings for us and we are missing Dee even more than normal.”
Always a supporter of charitable organizations, Dee and Sunny taught their children to give back at an early age. The flyer requested donations for men, women, and children, ranging from clothes, to books, to baby and personal items. The Rudko’s were overwhelmed with the generosity of their local community as residents stepped up and the family watched the donations pour in. The kids collected, carefully packed, and prepared the goods for shipment and delivery. They were amazed at how the many boxes of supplies soon turned into an incredible six truckloads of much needed donations for those suffering in the Ukraine.
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The Rudko family in spring of 2020 – left to right – Deeko, Sunny, Domenica, Dee and Santino
“I can only imagine all the things Dee would be doing to support Ukraine and all the insight he could be sharing with us all,” shared Sunny. “The kids and I wanted to do something, we had to do something…Dee would expect it.”
It is exactly what Dee, fondly remembered as “Tato”, would have wanted them to do.
“Dee was beyond proud to be Ukrainian,” said Sunny. “His Baba survived the Holodomor, and he was first generation born here. Ukrainian was his first language, he attended Ukrainian school every Saturday, he was a member of Plast, and went to Vovcha Tropa for summer camp where he loved being a lifeguard. As he got older, he took great passion in supporting Ukrainian veterans. Like their father, our children, who are American born with Ukrainian roots, wanted to make an impact – and that is exactly what they accomplished! We are grateful for those who participated, and they will not be forgotten – for it is in the kindness and giving to others that we are able to heal from within. Many thanks to those in the community that made this gift of giving back possible!”
All items were collected by mid-March and made ready to make their way to the Sumy and Kirovograd regions through the non-profit Hope for Ukraine. Despite all the Rudko family has been through with their own personal loss, and perhaps because of it, help was sent to the Ukrainians from the small town of Colts Neck. In loving memory of Dee Rudko, the drive was a tremendous success.
