Help Orphaned & Displaced Children Of Ukraine Plz

Last weekend, my wife Dineke and I joined local folks in the basement of the Congregational Church in the tiny village of Hebron, New Hampshire...where we learned of the plight of thousands of Ukrainian children who -- like we were -- have been gathered in the basements of churches, orphanages and safe houses across their war torn homeland.

But unlike our comfy basement digs, these Ukrainian children are being hidden in cellars far from their homes and parents, to protect them from the Russian onslaught. These children, -- infants, toddlers and teens -- are living in cellars, unheated and without power, unless their hiding place is lucky enough to have a generator, and the fuel to run it.

The presentation in Hebron was strictly local. Both attendees and presenters were familiar faces -- people just like us -- but with one distinction: our neighbors who were telling us about the horrors and deprivation of war had just returned from Ukraine.

The four individuals recounting their experience for us were called to volunteer -- to help the children survive the desperation being suffered in Ukraine, many of whom have lost their mothers and fathers to indiscriminate bombardment and brutal frontline combat. Many more have not heard from their parents for over a year. Many of the children will never know what happened to mom and dad.

Two of the presenters, both men I know personally, told how they came to their decision, not just to sympathize with the brave people of Ukraine....but TO DO SOMETHING.

Both men, Rotarians, knew that by organizing support through other Rotarians in Poland and Ukraine, they could quickly and without undue expense get help for what they saw as needed most for the youngsters in makeshift bomb shelters across the western woodlands: non-perishable food, warm clothing, personal hygiene items, sleeping bags, cots, generators...and to cheer them, toys, crayons, dolls, puzzles, and coloring books. For children suffering from severe trauma, funds are also being used to provide counseling.

I was amazed by their effort, which started with fundraising, but then led to them actually journeying to Ukraine to help volunteers deliver the supplies alongside Polish and Ukrainian truckers.

Incredibly, since the beginning of the war, over $2 million dollars of supplies have been delivered...and because the relief is a 100% volunteer effort, ALL of the money raised goes to the kids. There is, literally, no overhead at all; the locals who've flown to Poland to make their way to Ukraine, paid for their own tickets. Incredible people these folks are.

When the slide show was over, Dineke and I expected to be asked to write a check, which we were prepared to do. Surprisingly, nobody asked for donations. At first, I thought this might have been the result of reluctance to corral us in that basement, hear their story and then hit us up for a donation. But then, I thought about it: the guys I knew up front aren't bashful types, and I would have willingly obliged.

What they did was simply ask us all to think about what we could do to help, in whatever form it might take. They told us about a school boy who decided to sell 48 little yellow and blue flags he made for a dollar apiece. A woman who said she didn't have enough money for her utilities decided to make dolls that resembled "beanie babies"...which were handcarried to Ukraine.

So, now here I am, moved to do something. It's easy enough to donate, I thought...better still to spread the word and ask others to DO SOMETHING, whatever that might be...even if only to ask others to keep these children in their hearts.

If the spirit moves you, any donation would make a difference, however big, or small. It costs $1.40 to feed one child for a day, with the knowledge that EVERY PENNY given will be used for that purpose. For the cost of a bag of burgers and a milkshake at McDonald's, a child in Ukraine can eat for 2 weeks. Whatever you can do. If you're moved to donate here, please do. If you have an idea about how to raise funds, reach out and I'll get word to the organizers.

Thanks to all. If you choose to donate, I'll deliver the funds and obtain a receipt for you showing your donation to the 501(c)(3) that's been established.

These are trying times, dear friends. It's hard to find the good some days. This is a way we can be the good in these children's lives.

❤️

Bruce Van Derven

Dineke Koot Van Derven

PS: if you wish, feel free to donate directly to the 501(c)(3):

"Common Man For Ukraine" is on Facebook. You can donate through the FB page.

If you want more info, reach out through the CMFU Facebook page