Our flight to Kraków, Poland was uneventful. Dana and I tried to sleep, but we were too excited to get started with the relief effort. Our plane landed in the late afternoon on Thursday and checked into the hotel. We settled in and rested. Friday morning, we attended a breakfast meeting with the leaders of the “Ukraine Relief Initiative” and “Kraków Debniki for Ukraine” (KDU) teams to get up to speed on what is most needed. The current priority is to get a community center up and running to serve 200 displaced Ukrainians and their 50 host families. We set up planning times to organize the tasks for programs, funding, and the implementation of the opening.
Mission statement: “Relieve the crisis. Thoughtfully. With discipline and heart. Now.”
On Saturday, we attended an Orthodox Easter event at a recreation facility called the Artzone Cultural Center. It’s a community building that has opened its doors for Ukrainian women and children to use. It has games, toys, and activities to engage children. The Easter celebration had tables to make wristbands, other arts and crafts activities, and many games to entertain all ages. The moms had as much fun as the children! I watched a mother sing a beautiful lullaby to her 5-year-old daughter while soothingly rubbing her back. It was so touching! It was a great day that brought smiles and happy tears to everyone who participated. The strength of the Ukrainian mothers and children was so inspiring.
Making wristbands, Orthodox Easter celebration, Artzone, Kraków, Poland
Children playing games, Orthodox Easter celebration, Artzone, Kraków, Poland
On Monday, Dana and I met with the KDU leaders to organize the tasks needed to get the community center up and running. We have a plan! Woohoo! More to come later about that. As of this writing, you’re up to date on our action and contribution to the Ukrainian Relief Initiative.
Here’s an update on your contributions to the relief effort: Donors to my Venmo account last week helped fund these Easter care packages (clothes, personal supplies, and chocolates) for children with host families in the Debniki District of Kraków, Poland. You brought happiness to many Ukrainian moms and children. Thank you!!!
Ukrainian mom and son picking up an Easter care package… there were a lot of Easter bags in the background.
Beautiful Ukrainian girl holding her thank you art for the Easter care basket!
A little boy drew a butterfly with the Ukraine/US flag colors as a thank you for an Easter care package.
Spreading the word and donating are making a big difference. Thank you to all who have helped these displaced Ukrainians. They have left their homes, schools, family members, and a country they love through no fault of their own. Their needs are critical to their success in resettling in another country. We can all help their transition a little bit easier. Please continue to share with your friends and families and encourage them to share the message with their contacts. We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Be positive and stay safe, my dear family and friends!
Freedom is possible!
Much love,
Cindy and Dana
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/
In the memo, please include your name, address, phone #, and email so we can process your tax receipt.