Wisconsin Ukrainians hold picnic as the 500th day of Russian invasion passes

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- This weekend marks 500 days since the full-on invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

Sunday in Franklin, Ukrainians from Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. [WUI] celebrated their culture while keeping their friends and family back home in their thoughts and prayers.

This is our second annual picnic, this is mainly to share our culture, bring people together, and raise some funds for our non-profit organization," said WUI volunteer Valentyn Potapenko.

He says the hundreds of people at Wisconsin Ukrainians Incorporated's Ukrainian Picnic came out to enjoy dumplings, music, dance and more Saturday.

All the while, they continue to raise funds to send to Ukraine for the war effort.

"What we've been trying to do is actually spend their money in Ukraine, so instead of buying medical supplies here, we'll buy it there, to keep their economy going, keep jobs going," explained Potapenko.

WUI President Halyna Salapata says it's a chance for people like Viner to make his pilaf for friends and family once again.

She translated for him:

"With his family, they prepared that pilaf just for fun, and that's his tradition," said Salapata on Viner's behalf.

He and his wife first began to face the reality of the war in 2014 when Russians first attacked.

Viner says when a plane exploded above his home, he knew he had to give up his successful business and home to be safe.

"They decided they had to run just to survive," said Salapata on Viner's behalf.

Sunday gives people like Viner to meet Americans as well, Potapenko says many who came out came to learn about Ukrainian culture and be supportive of the war effort.

"We have a lot of friends, family, like my wife's side of the family, they all grew up here, they're all coming, I have friends actually just walking by over there," said Potapenko.

Salapata says while public attention to the issue has dwindled, her and many others there Saturday were glad to see so many people who still cared.

She says she's also thankful they can enjoy time together.

"It's therapy for us when we're getting together and doing something that we feel like that's the way we are, that's our take, and it makes us happy that we are capable to change something but at the same time we would be nothing without the support of the American people," said Potapenko.