Thank you, Rotarians and D5950 clubs, for your eagerness to support our Ukrainian friends and fellow Rotarians. And thank you to Robert Scarlett (Minneapolis City of Lakes) and Don Stiles (Bloomington) for researching how to ensure our gifts reach the Ukrainian effort. ► If you are sending a check, be sure it is clearly designated for the Rotary Disaster Response Fund for Ukraine. The mailing address is: The Rotary Foundation (TRF) 14280 Collections Center Dr. Chicago, IL 60693 District 5950 is leading our clubs' customized methods for supporting Ukrainians and the neighboring countries assisting refugees. Here are responses to a recent D5950 survey. District 5950: $10,000 donation to the Rotary Disaster Response Fund for Ukraine St. Cloud: $5,000 donation Shakopee: $2,000 donation to Rotary International Humanitarian Project Chanhassen: Providing club funding and individual donations to support Ukrainian refugees in Hungary. One of our members proactively connected with a member of the Rotary Club of Miskolc. Miskolc is providing accommodations, food and medical supplies for mothers and children. St Louis Park: Partnering with the Rotary Clubs of White Bear Lake (5960), Hopkins, a club in Kiev and Global Synergy Group to fund efforts in Ukraine. Approaching $10,000 and going higher! Goal is $25,000-$30,000. Minneapolis #9: Partnered with East Side Neighborhood Services of NE Minneapolis in a donation drive for St. Katherine's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Arden Hills. The drive collected two box trucks full of medical supplies, clothing and safety resources bound for the border of Poland where hundreds of thousands of refugees have come in. Minneapolis Club #9 donated $10,000 from the World Services Committee to the church for this global support. The event received TV coverage on WCCO (4) and KARE (11). Read D5950 home page article. Cokato Dassel: Members’ donations encouraged. Maple Grove: Members’ donations encouraged. St. James: Donated $750 to Doctors Without Borders and a Christian organization. Rotarians were instrumental in hosting a community information meeting that featured a Ukrainian foreign exchange student, a mother whose son lives in Ukraine, a NPC with relatives in Russia, and two local individuals with ties to Poland. Raised over $ 4,000 at the event. The community event made the front page of the regional newspaper and was videotaped for public access and for local library. Minnetonka: Partnering with the Rotary Clubs in Miskolc and Kisvarda (both in Hungary), wiring them $7,000+ to support their care of 40 women and children who fled their homes. Edina Morningside: Started developing a US AID grant. Our Ukrainian contact will speak to our club on April 19 and members’ donations will support his efforts. Partnering with the Rotary Club of Ivano-Frankivsk. Hopkins: Partnered with a Rotary club in Duluth, sending money to a Rotary club in Warsaw, Poland to help the citizens of Ukraine. Eagan Kick-Start: Partnering with The Drawer in a "bundling" event that prepares new socks and underwear bundles. These are delivered to adults and children in the Ukraine who need basic, necessary staples. |