BRIDGETON, Mo. — A refugee family from Ukraine is now living in St. Peters. We first introduced you to them last Sunday, only hours after they stepped off the plane at Lambert Airport on Dec. 10.
They've been settling in and looking to the future thanks to a local family member and John Calvin Presbyterian Church, who helped sponsor them.
Related: Ukrainian refugee family finds new home in St. Peters after latest devastation from Russian attacks
"A small group of individuals in a small church, and I just cannot believe that we did this," said Amy Brixey, a ruling elder at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.
On Sunday morning, the Prokhodov Family from Ukraine finally got to meet the Bridgeton congregation that fundraised and sponsored their move from the warzone in Kyiv to Saint Peters. Coming over as a family of five was challenging for parents Oleh and Victoria, they said. Their oldest daughter, Marianna is 7, and they also have 5-year-old twins Gleb and Alisa.
"If the mom and dad maybe wouldn't feel comfortable coming over here maybe just themselves," Brixey said. "But the kids are so excited and they're so happy and joyful. It's a positive experience for the kids so I think it's going to be a positive experience for the parents too."
John Calvin Presbyterian Church has raised more than $15,000 for the Ukrainian family that has just moved to St. Peters. But they're still looking to raise $24,000 to pay for 10-12 months of rent and utilities.
If you're interested in donating to the fundraiser for the Prokhodov family, click here.
"Of course, it's a new life so they want to, seems like they are going to build a whole new thing," said Zoryana Mills, Victoria's aunt who has lived in Illinois for 17 years. "Oleh has a lawyer degree, he has his law degree. They had their own photo studio. But here, they want to try and do something totally different."
Their little ones are starting school on Tuesday. Someone from the school will be visiting their home on Monday to show them where the bus stop is.
For now, though, five donated bikes from South Side Cyclery allow the family to explore their new St. Peters neighborhood away from the missiles and rockets.
"Both parents are actually going to have a bike and be able to bring their kids out and get out together and be active as a family," said Tyson Wilson with South Side Cyclery.
"If it's biking, running, something like that, it's common no matter where you are in the world," said Dorris Scott, a team member at South Side Cyclery. "It's just one way to show our welcome to this St. Louis area through bikes, and it's easy to understand because they love biking."
The Ukrainians are also looking for a car to drive to work and school for their three children if you'd be able to donate one or are part of an auto dealer.
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