Support for Kim Kline's Ukranian Family During War

We are raising money for the Pantus Family, who escaped the war in Ukraine and are currently in Poland. Dima Blundell (Pantus) came to Buffalo when he was adopted and added joy and completeness to my friend Kim Kline’s family in 2007. When Kim and her husband Don Blundell were heading to Zytomyr, Ukraine to embark on the adoption process, they learned that Dima had a biological brother named Sirgii. They were excited to meet Sirgii, but learned that he was not eligible for adoption. After much deep thought and encouragement from the loving director of the orphanage, Kim and Don decided to proceed with the adoption.

In the years that followed, Kim’s work took her to Ukraine several times, and over these years, she connected with Sirgii and his family. Sirgii is blessed with a loving wife, Natasha, and a beautiful 7 year old girl, Anna. Since the war began, Kim has been assisting them financially, and they have decided to apply for asylum status in the United States. Dima and Sirgii’s plan was to reunite in the Summer of 2022, as Dima just graduated from college and his wish was to travel to Ukraine to spend time with his brother. None of us ever dreamed that the atrocities would unfold in Ukraine and that this reunion would not be possible in Ukraine. Life has a funny way of showing us a different path, and now Sirgii and Dima may still be reunited – just back here in Buffalo.

Please join us in raising money for the Pantus’ journey to the United States. Your donation will assist with living costs in Poland while they wait to hear about their asylum status, as well as fees to retain a lawyer and apply for visas. If accepted for asylum, Kim will be hosting the Pantus family in her home while they adjust to a new life here in the U.S. We appreciate your consideration and hope that together, we can ease this family's stress a bit.

- Mindy Eaton, Megan Moore Gardner, Joy Guarino, and Laura Hill Rao