I am so sorry I have not updated in awhile. This entire week has been spent putting donations together, delivering donations, plus dealing with a kitty cat that Wendell found in the middle of the road on Thursday. (more on that story in another post!)
Some days I barely have time to grab a shower and eat! Then I crawl into bed and collapse. I haven't even had time to vacuum or clean my house this week! It's on the list for tomorrow. ????
On Friday (March 18th), I had enough donations dropped off at my house for two truck loads! So, I took a friend with me (who had an extra truck) to meet the Ukraine folks/group putting this together. Let's just say she left crying as well.
I got to spend the next hour with this dear Angel on Earth. His wife was at church, so maybe next time I'll meet her.
He called his son who speaks both languages to translate to me. The son, Alex, said every time I bring drop offs and fill their porch with much needed supplies, his parents cry and hug and say what a miracle I am. (I said it's the other way around!)
It is called "Hope Across Seas." They've done this for 27+ years! ???
The Ukrainian Government does not give them one dime. They were "promised help", but they've been told that for 15+ years. Now with the war, help definitely is not there. Their efforts are 100% funded by donors, with Americans being the most generous. Wow!!!!
The stories that the son told me of the current situation going on in Ukraine and coming into Poland...are worse than what you hear or see on the news.
Babies in the same diaper, rinsed out!
Mom's using their clothes for diapers.
Some of their friends and family are still missing. Some are dead. Their friend who helps them with this (and who originally asked my friend to contact me to help), her sons flew back last week from here in Oregon to Poland to go into Ukraine to see if they could find their missing family.
Through all of this, Valeriy tears up as his son tells me about the missing family members, but smiles when I give him a hug. Then I cry, damn it. ???? I am not 100% sure, but I think Valeriys elderly mother is still stuck in Kyiv.
So, dumb dumb here thought shipping was free! It is not! The cost to ship a box is $40 per box for now. That includes the price of the boxes and shipping them. The reason they are using these particular boxes is because other boxes cost more to ship because they take up more space in the container. The boxes ALL have to be the same size and weight. If they are different sized and shaped boxes, even if they are the same weight, it will cost $10 more to ship!
The last shipment they sent out was 1600 boxes!?ÿ So far this year, they sent out 217 boxes! But then they ran out of money for shipping. They were trying to figure out how they were going to ship these current boxes from the four truckloads that I have donated. They needed around $3000. Well guess what...
A website client of Wendells asked if it was OK to collect donations at their place of business. Of course it is! Not everyone wants to/can donate items, but cash and gift cards were easy. So, she put out a little sign last Friday, about the project and cause. Her clients, friends and family started pitching in. She managed to raise over $3000!!! I asked her if it was OK to let them use this for shipping. She said "absolutely". I, myself, managed to raise $750!! ????
So, while I was there on Friday, I translated the raising the funds story on my phone into Ukrainian and showed Valeriy. As he read it, his eyes got really wide, then watery, then he teared up, and then gave me a big hug. Alex then translated to me what his dad said: "Angel, they were just praying today about this situation, and where would they get the money? And then you came along and showed my dad what your friend did for their organization. My dad said to tell you that you and your friend are a true Angel and miracle!" I said No, I am not the miracle, they are! I'm just the worker bee. ????
They couldn't believe someone would do that, for free, for something like this. They didn't know me or my networking skills very well. They do now. ???
Hubby and I left sniffling. My sweet kind friend Valeriy always walks us out, shakes Wendells hand and says "Thank You, Sir" in English, gives me a big hug, and then watches and waves and folds his hands in a prayer as we drive away.
Hubby held my hand and let me bawl.
Today, (well Saturday) after talking again with their son, Alex, and seeing how this is growing because so many want to help, my husband is building a free webpage for this project.
So, there you go!! I know I was long winded, but I wanted to make sure I did not leave anything out. A few of you here have donated generously, and you 100% deserve to know where your money is going, and the story behind it. ????
I am told to send blessings to all of you! I mean, he is a retired Ukrainian pastor after all. And...to say this:
This is me and Valeriy in front of part of the donation boxes.
Here's the process! Everything has to be done just right and weigh just right. They have a huge scale that helps.
Here's some of my recent donations, all ready to go!!
Here's some of their donations being dropped off at one of the places that they help.
This place is a rehabilitation hospital for people that are paralyzed/cannot walk.
Here is a young soldier who was recently injured. They are teaching him how to walk again.
The equipment in the background is what they raised money for.
That equipment was purchased from Germany and is used daily.
Here is a man they helped with a donation of a special wheelchair. IT cost $100 to ship it to Kyiv!! Sheesh!
From Alex:
The gentleman on the electric scooter is my dad's friend Ivan. He is the one that has the rehab center in Ukraine which is completely non-funded by the government even though the government keeps saying it will help. They have been saying this for over 15 years! Ivan is responsible for taking in anyone with spinal injuries and put them back on their feet for the most part they do walk on their own! Not like they did before at 100% but at least they are able to continue life being mobile.
Medical supplies of all sorts and adult diapers are being used at the facility. Ivan explains in the beginning, if you have finances to cover any food/medical supplies and/or diapers that is greatly appreciated. If not, which is in most cases, it is free of charge.
That's where a portion of the boxes go; to help them get back on their feet. Ivan also had a program where he would find them jobs after they were rehabilitated, and if they are, in cases where they cannot walk, his daughter would teach them computer classes and find them jobs to do online.
?ÿ(Part two...coming up!)
?ÿ
?ÿ
