Many Rotarians in our District have asked what they can do to help Ukraine and District 2232. There are at least four ways you can contribute:
Rotary International has approved Ukraine and surrounding countries for Rotary Disaster Relief Grants. These are funded from the Disaster Response Fund. You can donate to the fund here. All funds collected by April 22, 2022, will be directed to Ukraine.
White Bear Rotarian, Irina Fursman, a native Ukrainian, has been working for years with Ukraine. She has a non-profit, Global Synergy Group, set up to transfer funds from the US to Ukraine. Irina connected White Bear Rotary with District 2232 Past District Governor Sergii Zavadskyi, as a member of the District 2232 Coordinating Committee for Humanitarian Disasters. Their focus is on obtaining medicine and delivering into Ukraine. See the attached sheet for more on D2232 efforts. Irina has committed to sending any funds received by 2:00 pm each day directly to District 2232. You can donate to this fund here or use the QR code.
District 5960 has a SHARE THE LOVE campaign going until the end of March - see separate article in this Moccasin Flower. Of the funds received by The Rotary Foundation in this Rotary year, approximately 50% will return to our District to use for matching grants next year. By contributing to the annual fund, you ensure there are matching funds available and could write a grant for Ukraine. Please contact Margie Horning, Grants Team Leader.
Other clubs in the district have contacts in Ukraine. If you do, please reach out and support those you know. I believe Winona and Prior Lake are doing so now. If you would be willing to share your contacts, please let Jim Hunt know to populate a database of all district efforts in Ukraine.
PLEASE consider donating now. The needs in Ukraine are significant and it will get worse before it gets better.