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My name is Wren Fialka and I am the founder and executive director of The Spread the Love Commission in the US. We are a U.S based nonprofit that personally delivers supplies, clothing, food, compassion, respect, time and love to some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society, the homeless and displaced.
Just as importantly, we serve as a bridge between people who are in a position to help and those who need their help the most.
In addition to the Spread the Love Commission, I have felt a compulsion to privately bring aide where I see it's most needed outside of the U.S. For the past year and a half my heart has been pulling me towards the refugee crisis in Europe.
Last year, brave individuals, families and children embarked on a treacherous journey out of the familiarity of their homelands to Europe, fleeing unlivable conditions. If they were fortunate enough to arrive in one piece, they were met with the unfortunate news of the EU Turkey agreement; the Macedonian border was closed indefinitely and 57, 000 refugees found themselves trapped in a struggling country with few resources and dwindling hope of having any idea of when they would be able to join loved ones in other countries across the Greek border.
In this past year, there have been hunger strikes, riots, mass deportations, another wave of refugees, the excruciatingly long and complicated application process for asylum, increasing reports of mental health problems and a growing prejudice towards the refugees within certain populations and governments across Europe . As this prejudice and fear sweep over Europe and the US, the challenges the refugees face continue to increase and there seems to be no better time to reach out again. Tangible action can help replace fear and misinformation with compassion and effective humanitarian solutions, even on a small scale.
In May, I was able to make my first supply run to Greece to the Ritsona Refugee camp, where there was an NGO (a non-governmental
organization or nonprofit) that had built a sanctuary for the women, pregnant women, children and babies. During the visit I forged friendships, gained valuable insight into the situation and learned more effective and direct ways to help. Because of this, our donations, thus far, have been able to provide the Ritsona camp with everything from vitamins, diapers, emergency blankets, undergarments, kids school supplies and toys to electric fans that provided cool relief for the families living in canvas tents in the hottest days of the Greek summer.
Since then, some things at Ritsona have finally improved. The families have been moved from the exposed army tents to ISO containers with running water and electricity and heat. The food situation has improved a bit with some access to fresh produce and the ability to have a few more nutritious home cooked meals instead of lining up for rations three times a day. And happily, several healthy babies have been born in the last 6 months. But, with a cold winter approaching and an uncertain future, there are still so many things these families need from medical supplies, food supplements, winter gear, prenatal vitamins and now bicycles which will provide simple and essential transportation both in and outside of the camp for the children and the adults. Just as important, if not more so, these families need to know that there are other individuals and families around the world, that value and respect them and have not forgotten their plight.
I have personally funded the vast majority of transportation to Greece and back. Aside from the basic expenses to fund my work your donations will go directly to this camp and their most immediate needs. This is a very dire and heartbreaking situation and every little bit of support and love helps get these displaced families through this. If you are short on resources a $5 or $10 donation or simply just sharing this post with others is a great help:). Thank you in advance for your concern and support❤️❤️❤️. Spread the Love and spread the word✨
Just as importantly, we serve as a bridge between people who are in a position to help and those who need their help the most.
In addition to the Spread the Love Commission, I have felt a compulsion to privately bring aide where I see it's most needed outside of the U.S. For the past year and a half my heart has been pulling me towards the refugee crisis in Europe.
Last year, brave individuals, families and children embarked on a treacherous journey out of the familiarity of their homelands to Europe, fleeing unlivable conditions. If they were fortunate enough to arrive in one piece, they were met with the unfortunate news of the EU Turkey agreement; the Macedonian border was closed indefinitely and 57, 000 refugees found themselves trapped in a struggling country with few resources and dwindling hope of having any idea of when they would be able to join loved ones in other countries across the Greek border.
In this past year, there have been hunger strikes, riots, mass deportations, another wave of refugees, the excruciatingly long and complicated application process for asylum, increasing reports of mental health problems and a growing prejudice towards the refugees within certain populations and governments across Europe . As this prejudice and fear sweep over Europe and the US, the challenges the refugees face continue to increase and there seems to be no better time to reach out again. Tangible action can help replace fear and misinformation with compassion and effective humanitarian solutions, even on a small scale.
In May, I was able to make my first supply run to Greece to the Ritsona Refugee camp, where there was an NGO (a non-governmental
organization or nonprofit) that had built a sanctuary for the women, pregnant women, children and babies. During the visit I forged friendships, gained valuable insight into the situation and learned more effective and direct ways to help. Because of this, our donations, thus far, have been able to provide the Ritsona camp with everything from vitamins, diapers, emergency blankets, undergarments, kids school supplies and toys to electric fans that provided cool relief for the families living in canvas tents in the hottest days of the Greek summer.
Since then, some things at Ritsona have finally improved. The families have been moved from the exposed army tents to ISO containers with running water and electricity and heat. The food situation has improved a bit with some access to fresh produce and the ability to have a few more nutritious home cooked meals instead of lining up for rations three times a day. And happily, several healthy babies have been born in the last 6 months. But, with a cold winter approaching and an uncertain future, there are still so many things these families need from medical supplies, food supplements, winter gear, prenatal vitamins and now bicycles which will provide simple and essential transportation both in and outside of the camp for the children and the adults. Just as important, if not more so, these families need to know that there are other individuals and families around the world, that value and respect them and have not forgotten their plight.
I have personally funded the vast majority of transportation to Greece and back. Aside from the basic expenses to fund my work your donations will go directly to this camp and their most immediate needs. This is a very dire and heartbreaking situation and every little bit of support and love helps get these displaced families through this. If you are short on resources a $5 or $10 donation or simply just sharing this post with others is a great help:). Thank you in advance for your concern and support❤️❤️❤️. Spread the Love and spread the word✨