Help Ukrainian Refugees in Poland

UPDATE: Nov 29th

"From Pirate to Santa"

Hello, everyone!

I'm re-enabling this fundraiser to help raise $$ for Holiday Gifts for Ukrainian Refugee Kids in Kielce, Poland.

I'm heading back! - This time, to play the role of Santa Claus at Kielce's Ukrainian Refugee Help Center.

I plan to give away Christmas Packages (toys, crayons, sweets and oranges) to the 200+ Ukrainian Refugee Kids who settled in Kielce, Poland.

I'll also donate much-needed supplies (from personal hygiene products, food and clothing) to the hundreds of Ukrainian Families who still rely on our support.

Any funds left over will be spent on diapers and baby formula - which will be sent directly to war-torn parts of Ukraine.

As Always:

Thank You for Your Continued Support, and

Slava Ukraini!

- Raising $$ to purchase items to donate to Ukrainian Refugees entering Poland (primarily feminine hygiene products, diapers, stuffed animals and small toys for the children, food, water, clothing and anything else as needed).

- Will distribute in person (focusing on Poland-Ukraine border crossing of Dorohusk as well as cities of Chelm and Lublin)

- Partnering with AFC Ann Arbor to distribute soccer balls and equipment to Refugee Camps

- Matching up to $20,000 of raised funds. 100% of proceeds to go towards helping Ukrainian Refugees.

 

My name is Mike, I live in Ann Arbor, MI, and in a few days (March 20th), I'll be heading to Poland to help thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing war and destruction in their homeland.

 

I grew up in Poland (before the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the soviet union) - I was born in Lublin - not even 60 miles away from current Poland - Ukraine border.)

 

As a young kid, I got involved with the "Orange Alternative" Movement when I tried to do my small part to oppose authoritarian and Soviet regimes.

I ultimately was able to celebrate free, democratic and independent Poland - witnessing the collapse of the Berlin Wall, 1st Free Democratic Elections in Poland and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

 

I understand 1st hand what a totalitarian, communist regime can do and simply can’t just watch what’s happening in Ukraine right now.

 

If not for the collapse of the Berlin Wall - I would not have been able to come to the USA and have the life, the family (my two boys) and the career (19 years at Google and counting) - I have and appreciate in my heart so much.

 

I was employee #1 at Google Poland and was actively involved in growing our presence across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)- including Ukraine.

 

I still have family, friends and colleagues in Poland and CEE, who - while uncertain about their future - are mobilizing and organizing ways to help and support citizens of Ukraine. Those who stay behind to defend their country and tens of thousands of refugees who are crossing Poland borders as they try to escape the horrors of war.

 

I plan to head to Poland's Eastern Border and help welcome and support Ukrainian war refugees for a month (between 3/21 and 4/21).

 

I intend to support - in any way possible - thousands of Ukrainian refugees who enter Poland daily.

 

Helping them with necessities (water, hot meals), making refugee moms and kids welcomed (with blankets, hygiene products and stuffed toys giveaways for the kids) and offering free transportation to cities within inland Poland that provide free housing for the needy) to start with. Pivoting to what’s critically important as the situation evolves.

 

In partnership with AFC Ann Arbor and The Mighty Oak Project, I also plan to donate soccer balls to existing Refugee Camps (starting with one in Sielpia, PL) to help keep the kids active.

 

I will use 100% of raised funds on supplies and items for the refugees.

 

I'm also planning on sharing my experience during that month-long journey to help drive awareness and compassion for the victims of this senseless war.

Update (3/14) (more details):

a) My 1st stop will be in Sielpia, Poland. I intend on giving away soccer balls and sports equipment, as well as items such as toys (stuffed animals, matchbox cars), crayons, etc to the 500+ Ukrainian Refugees already there. We are also partnering w/city of Kielce to help identify more local Refugee Camps to provide similar support.

- We also secured an additional 250 soccer balls (these are covered outside of this fundraiser) that will be sent directly to Poland and distributed to local Refugee Camps.

b) I have secured a small room in Lublin, Poland where I'll be based out of. 

Raised funds (thank you!!) as well as the $20,000 I'm matching will be spent on the following items:

- Water and food items (including baby formula and food) to be given directly to those crossing the border (many of whom are waiting hours and sometimes even days to cross the border)

- Feminine Hygiene Products (Tampons, Pads) Diapers, etc

- Clothing (socks, blankets, coats) to those who need it

- Small Toys (stuffed animals, crayons, etc) for the Kids

(all items will be sourced from Lublin, Poland based wholesalers in order to buy in bulk and secure lowest possible prices)

c) I'm already scheduled to help volunteer in town of Chelm, Poland - in a warehouse that's collecting and distributing donations to Ukrainian Refugees stationed in that town as well as near the border of Dorohusk-Jagodzin. I'm planning on purchasing and donating any items that are needed critical at any given time

d) Finally - I've also signed up to offer transportation (and will use some of the funds raised for water/snacks/toys giveaways for my passengers) to those Refugees who need to get inland Poland to their pre-arranged locations. I will use some of the funds for gas for the purpose of providing free transportation.