ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Vasyl Boichook has been in the United States for years, but during his 20’s, it was his lifelong dream to come to the U.S. and start his own business. He eventually made that a reality, starting a custom woodworking shop in DeLand when the Soviet Union was dissolved in the 1990s, giving his home country its independence. But the recent tensions between the two countries is frightening to him and his family. 

What You Need To Know

  • Vasyl Boichook still has family members living un Ukraine, including his son and niece

  • Boichook's organization, Ukrainian Project Inc., is hosting the Ukrainian Orlando Festival later this month

  • The event will be held at the Apopka Amphitheater on February 25, 26 and 27

  • All proceeds made during the event will go to helping residents in Ukraine

“We talk about it several times a day each day. It’s a constant topic because we don’t know what’s going to come out of it, but it’s very worrisome,” Boichook said. 

With tensions between Russia and Ukraine the worst they’ve been since before 2014, Boichook is concerned that not only his country will lose its independence, but he is also concerned for the lives of his family and friends still in the country.

He currently has several family members still in the country, including a son in Western Ukraine studying at a medical university, and his niece is in the capitol, where he says they took to the streets today in protest.  

“They were just marching the streets today. I’ve listened to many of them and they are ready for what is coming and they say it won’t be easy for Putin to take a single yard of Ukrainian territory. They have resolve and are ready to go, but are hopeful it will not happen. That the border will prevail and people won’t have to die on either side of that border.” 

While Boichook isn’t currently on those front lines, he’s still helping locally. On the 25th, 26th and 27th of this month, his organization Ukrainian Project Inc. will host a Ukrainian Orlando Festival celebrating the country's culture, heritage and what he says is a reason for other countries to help fight for Ukraine’s independence. 

“We really hope that we have a lot of people turn out over there to show what we are all about and to show there is so much to fight for over there.” 

That event will be held at the Apopka Amphitheater. All the proceeds made during that weekend will go to helping residents in Ukraine.