JACKSONVILLE — Local military families and Ukrainian families enjoyed a sunny and special day at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on Tuesday.
The event was hosted by the Zoo, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville and USO Jacksonville.
Living Stream Church played a big role, as they’ve helped Ukrainian refugees settle in Jacksonville since the 90s.
“A lot of them -- they are without husbands,” Yaroslav Brychka, a deacon at Living Stream Church, said. “So we bring them, bring the kids -- so they can relax a little bit. They can see the zoo.”
He said 200 refugees have already come to their church from Ukraine.
Families received the “total experience” and had the chance to watch animal feedings, training and join in on a carousel ride.
“This is such a beautiful day” Alina Mychka said. “We enjoy to be with the people from Ukraine. We have the chance to help each other. I think it’s very important for all of us.”
Mychka is from Ukraine and has lived in Jacksonville for six years to study and work.
“It’s kind of very sensitive, ya know?” Mychka said. “We have a chance to show other families who arrived from Ukraine all of this beauty.”
That includes her own family who very recently found refuge here in Jacksonville.
Phoebe Wyms also attended the event. She heard about the zoo trip from the director of USO Jacksonville who shared with her about the Ukrainian refugees.
“They had a hard time coming over, because some of them are like eight months pregnant and had to walk over while holding a toddler,” Wyms said
Wyms had a toddler on her own hip Tuesday.
“I couldn’t imagine having to go through that,” she said.
However, there is a way she says she can relate, so she showed up with her family to show support.
“I just know how crazy it was with my husband’s first deployment with my daughter,” Wyms said. “We were in a place where we didn’t have any family and just trying to keep up and having to take care of everything.”
Leaders say the event was created to provide some relief and entertainment for the families of the warfighters who remain in Ukraine protecting their country -- and also for military families to make connections.
“We are honored to partner with Rotary Club of Jacksonville and the USO Jacksonville to create unforgettable experiences for these families,” said Jeff Ettling, Ph.D., President and CEO of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “Connecting with wildlife and nature are simple joys of childhood and the greatest ways for families to relax, bond, and grow together.”