Help Ukrainian Families Arriving in Poland

My name is Annie Gnidula. I’m a 9th-grade high school student at Hopkins School in New Haven and Easton, CT resident.   I am setting up a GoFundMe page for the Ukrainian refugees streaming into Poland because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. My 79-year-old grandmother lives in Poland, and she told me that when she watches the news on TV, she gets really upset and cries seeing Ukrainian mothers with their children arriving across the border leaving their country, homes, and husbands with just a few bags or backpacks. They are leaving everything behind.

After talking to my grandmother and watching the news, I felt I need to do something to help the helpless refugees and their families escaping the war. About 500,000 people, primarily women, and children fled to Poland over the past week. And that is just the beginning; the UN estimates that about 2 million will be relocated to Poland.

Multiple Ukrainian refugee camps are being set up across Poland, one of them near my grandmother’s town.  My grandmother put me in touch with a Polish regional newspaper, Echo Dnia, to help me raise funds directly to charitable Polish organizations and shelters for these Ukrainian refugees. I’m working with them to understand the immediate needs. The refugees need food, medication, essential hygiene items, clothes, toys for children as well as medical, legal, and psychological support, especially for the children. Unfortunately, the collection and shipping process can be complicated and delayed, and the refugees need these supplies and support now.

Please consider helping me with my efforts and donate. Five dollars, the cost of a Starbucks drink (or two) will help feed a child, buy a child a toy and book that will help them escape the trauma around them, and show them that kids in other countries care. A $100 donation helps supply a month’s worth of food to a Ukrainian refugee family.  

Please share my GoFundMe account with your friends. We need to stay united to help those children and their moms.

The funds will be transferred to local charity organizations with the help of the regional newspaper, Echo Dnia, to make sure that they directly benefit the refugees arriving in Poland.   Echo Dnia cooperates with the local arm of Caritas, a recognized charitable organization.  
On March 1st, they were able to cross the boarder to Ukraine and deliver food and blankets for those waiting on the border to cross over.  Caritas is working with local towns and municipalities to help convert schools and other unused facilities into shelters for the families. 

I have been reassured by the newspaper that they will document and validate the receipt of the donation.    With the help of my father, Peter Gnidula,   all the contributions raised will be donated/transferred to the local Caritas chapter at this link - https://kielce.caritas.pl/pomoc-dla-ukrainy.

 

Here is the list of items for now that the money will be used for. I’ll be providing updates on what is needed.

• Medical supplies - first aid kits, bandages, thermal blankets, medical kits, non-prescription medicines (painkillers, cold medicine, etc.), bandages, medical tape, gauze, antibiotic ointments, and cremes

• Facemasks

• Personal hygiene items - toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, pads, tampons, diapers

• Blankets, sleeping bags, raincoats, gloves, scarfs

 

Thank you for your help!

Annie