Update Altruistic acts are contagious. This has become a joint effort by Polish-American kids from Manhasset to bring humanitarian aid to Ukrainian families that crossed the Polish border.

We take pride in community, collaboration and humanity:

Alex Mlotkowski 12th grade        Max Piatek 12th grade
Max Majewski 11th grade            Victoria Majewski 10th grade
Klara Mosakowski 9th grade        Mikayla Berestecki 9th grade
Emma Berestecki 7th grade         Sara Majewski 7th grade
Ellie Rostkowski 7th grade

1M Ukrainian women and children crossed the Polish border

Donations will be split between a group of 40 women and children that arrived in Gdynia, Poland, and among multiple non-for-profit organizations which will enhance refugee efforts on the ground.

Previous post Please help me raise funds to support a group of 40 Ukrainian women and children escaping war to settle in Gdynia, Poland. The funds will cover transportation from the border, rental of two homes, clothing and food. This is a coordinated effort with a group of attorneys I know personally, that are working pro bono in Poland. The long term goal is to set the kids up in school and offer assistance to help find work. All donations raised will be used to purchase necessities locally, we will have direct contact and impact on these families, and we’ll be able to view their progress.

 

I have to say it took a lot of convincing from my mom to persuade me to put this together. I always wanted to help, but I wasn’t sure if people who live so far away would care. Taking advantage of my dual citizenship and family ties to Poland, I have been encouraged to support the Ukrainian people seeking refuge. I hope to assist the law firm of BCP Law Kancelaria Adwokacka, who have already done a tremendous amount of work and have temporarily transformed their practice into storage space. Cleaning products, towels, blankets, mattresses and clothing have all been donated locally, and are waiting to be distributed (see photos).

 

The men have been left behind to fight for their country. A teenager myself, it’s disheartening to see footage of children desperately seeking an exit from a terrifying situation.

 

On a personal note, I grew up hearing stories about communist Poland and those who died protecting freedom from Russian inflicted wounds. At the age of 7, my great-grandmother's education came to a halt when Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland. The following year she lost her mom, and at such an early age, was forced to prepare meals for Soviet soldiers. Years later, my grandfather was born in the exact place where WW2 started and later worked at the Gdansk shipyard before it became known worldwide for the Solidarity movement. On the day of my mom’s christening, martial law was instituted, tanks rolled on the streets, and none of the guests could return home. Americans felt their own terror during the Cold War. I am humbled to have visited sites that are often described in history textbooks. These stories are personal to my family and I, and we tend to forget how recent they are! I will end with a quote from Einsten “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything”.