Principle #7 – Be unstoppable in showing kindness and generosity in serving others.
Spring is here. It’s a new beginning…trees and flowers are waking up and blooming. And that means it’s allergy season. Luckily allergies are short-lived, and we reap the benefits of beautiful gardens.
Dana and I had a down week…we had a spring cold. It’s hard on the immune system when the weather goes from cold to warm. Yuck! But we’re feeling so much better. And just in time for us to go on our 10-day tour of Europe and a stop in Kraków for a week! My sister, Deb, and her husband will meet us in Budapest for our 10-day tour of Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. Funny that we will meet in another country instead of our own country!
There are spring preparations in Poland too. Last Sunday, the Świetlica Dębniki Community Center celebrated Orthodox Easter with lunch and festivities in the courtyard. Easter is a holiday of joy and goodness. The food was abundant, and Ukrainian and Polish friends celebrated their community and their hopes for a peaceful Ukraine. I stand with them and their hope for peace and victory.
Lena and her nephew, Dima, celebrate Orthodox Easter.
The KDU leadership team asked Ukrainian women and children what classes they would like to have offered. They spoke, and the leadership team listened. The new program schedule is now set at the Świetlica Dębniki Community Center! Women and children are signing up! Spring is for new beginnings everywhere!
Last week a self-defense course was offered with the hope of adding more sessions. The class taught women how not to panic in a crisis situation, giving them skills and self-confidence. It is also a great way to spend free time with incredible women.
Self-defense course at the community center.
Flowers are coming to the community center courtyard! Volunteers will bring their green thumbs, clean up the old planters, and brighten them with flowers. Nothing says spring more than beautiful flowers. They will brighten up the courtyard and make it a welcoming place for sharing lunch and activities throughout the summer.
Spring clean-up at the community center.
Dana and I were in Poland last year during Orthodox Easter. I can’t believe it’s been over a year since this war began. Putin and his regime have ruthlessly attacked innocent people and demolished Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers on the front line are tirelessly protecting their country and the remaining people in Ukraine. They are holding their own against Russia with their skill, strength, and resolve to achieve victory. Meanwhile, their families have relocated to different countries for safety. And this is why I help these innocent and peaceful people.
“Relieve the crisis. Thoughtfully. With discipline and heart. Now.”
Thank you for your generous donations to help relieve the Ukrainian crisis. With your donations, we opened a community center and took supplies to the Nest (refugee center) and the Falcon (Oksana’s hospital) in Ukraine. Unfortunately, the need continues. Please consider another donation so we can sustain and expand the efforts to help these resilient Ukrainian families. The information to donate is at the bottom of the email. Thank you so much for your continued support and for being part of my trusted circle. URI + KDU: “1 + 1 = 1,000” One heart, one dream, one world. Peace for Ukraine.
Much love,
Cindy
P.S. I will send the next Kraków update when I return from Europe.
HOW TO MAKE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UKRAINIAN RELIEF INITIATIVE
All contributions are fully tax-deductible through HCC, our registered 501(c)(3) passthrough charity.
TO CONTRIBUTE BY CHECK:
Make your check payable to **Hispanic Community Council** – (VERY IMPORTANT: not to Ukraine Relief Initiative) and send it to the following address:
HCC – URI
c/o John Kersey
208 Liberty Street
Warren, PA 16365
Please indicate “Ukrainian Relief Initiative” in the check memo and include a note with your contact info (address, phone, email).
TO CONTRIBUTE ELECTRONICALLY BY PAYPAL:
Use this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WMYJHS9UVMWY2. PayPal goes through the “Hispanic Community Council,” our 501(c)3 passthrough organization.
In the memo, please include your name, address, phone #, and email so we can process your tax receipt.