April 1st, 2022

By Joseph Nichols, 

When visiting Poland, I was astounded at the welcome that was given to the refugees from the conflict in Ukraine. It was nothing short of remarkable. People opened their homes. Travel, food, telephone services are offered freely. The local government services are providing the help these people need with great efficiency and empathy.

The focus of this fundraising effort is directed at children (and their parents) that remain in Ukraine but have had to flee to safer places. Internally Displaced People (IDP’s).
These families have come to such cities as Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Uzhgorod, many having fathers and brothers remaining behind to serve in the defense forces. Residents in these areas have opened their homes to IDP’s – some housing multiple families. Estimates of the number of IDP’s in Western Ukraine are 5 – 7 million.

Local services are doing their best, but so much has been left behind that the gaps in daily life are daunting. Filling just a few of these gaps is our goal.