St. Nicholas Day is December 19 in Ukraine.  In recognition of this holiday, Rotarians in Poland are taking a caravan of 21 minibuses filled with warm clothing, shoes, coats, sleeping bags, blankets, toys and other critical needs for the children in the Ukrainian orphanages. Of course they continue their work to provide medical supplies, generators and other needs as the cold, dark days of winter approach.
 
Support the families, especially the children, by making a contribution for the Rotary District in Poland, so they can continue to purchase the critical needs for the Ukrainians.  Please make your contribution by December 13 (new deadline) to District 5650 - click here.

Dear Rotarians,

At this time of Thanksgiving, I extend my appreciation for your continued generosity. You provided amazing support for the food banks so they could serve families struggling through the pandemic.  Last spring, when the crisis broke out in Ukraine, you came together with Rotarians across the District to raise over $100K dollars for medical supplies.  We truly have changed lives with these generous gifts.

Today, I ask you to join me in supporting the Ukrainians, especially the children,  as winter conditions increase.  We hear the dire concerns in our news each day.  You can read the attached heartfelt letter from District Governor Piotr Jankowski in Poland.  You may recall I met with DG Piotr when I was in Warsaw.  He and his fellow Rotarians have been running a medical supply distribution center for nearly 9 months now and are truly serving to save lives in Ukraine.

There are so many children in Ukraine right now who lost both parents during this war.  St. Nicholas Day is December 19.  In recognition of this holiday,  Rotarians in Poland are taking a caravan of 21 minibuses filled with warm clothing, shoes, coats, sleeping bags and toys for the children in the Ukrainian orphanages.  Of course they continue their work to provide medical supplies, generators and other critical needs as the cold, dark days of winter approach.

When I visited your club, so many asked after my presentation, “What can we do to help?”  Here is our opportunity.  Join me in making a contribution for the Rotary District in Poland, so they can continue to purchase the critical needs for the Ukrainians.  Please make your contribution to District 5650 - click this link. You will also find a DONATE button and this story on the District Website - https://rotarydistrict5650.org/.

Let’s make our contributions by Friday, December 13 (new deadline).  Thank you for your generosity.  Just imagine the smiles on St. Nicholas Day.  

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Gratefully,
DG Barbara

P.S.  Remember your friends, family and co-workers can join in as well.  Thank you for spreading the word.  We will close the campaign on December 13 (new deadline).

Dear District Governor Barbara,
Dear Rotary Friends from the District 5650,
 
Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine is still going on. Thousands of innocent people are dying, and millions have to seek new refuge. Being the closest neighbor of Ukraine, we observe it every day. According to official es􀆟mates by the Polish government, over 7.6 million refugees have entered our country. Of course, not all of them are in Poland, but we can still talk about several million "guests" from across our eastern border.
 
The Polish nation supports Ukraine as much as it can. Our District 2231, which for many years was one district with Ukraine as D2230, does a lot. We have a direct contact with our Rotarian friends from Ukraine, we know their needs and we provide them with the necessary help according to our possibilities.
 
This help would often not be possible without support from other parts of the world. Americans, US clubs and districts help us a lot.
 
Barbara, we met in Warsaw during your voluntary mission in Poland. You have represented your wonderful district 5650, to which I would now like, on behalf of all brothers and sisters in Ukraine, to thank you for your support and assistance. Your help cannot be overestimated. It is only thanks to your generosity that we can help Ukraine so well.
 
As I mentioned, the war is still going on. And, unfortunately, winter is coming. Ukrainian children, mothers, inhabitants of large and small towns and villages must prepare for this. They ask us for help and we cannot refuse them. Therefore, I am asking you to continue helping Ukraine.
 
They need winter underwear, clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, personal hygiene products, power banks, flashlights and batteries, candles, solar lamps, food, dressings. Of course, we are also looking for larger items, such as 3-5 kW power generators. We can still buy most of these products in Poland.
 
Recently, the most effective assistance is organized by Polish clubs that cooperate with Ukrainian clubs, or hospitals, organizations, etc., on a daily basis.
Therefore, I would like to assure you that all funds that will be transferred to us will be used and se􀆩led by Polish clubs indicated by the management of our district. I am sure that we will continue to help Ukraine together.
 
Thank you very much for what you have already done. Looking to a bright future and believing that Rotary has no limits. Imagine Rotary.
 
District Governor of 2231 for the term of 2022-23
Piotr Jankowski