Dear Friends and Potential Sponsors,

My name is Maria Wozniuk Connolly, and today, on behalf of my grandchildren, Theo, Cora and Matthew, and the non-profit organization we created at their behest to help children in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Village Fund of Massachusetts, Inc. (https://www.ukrainianvillagefund.org - 501(c)(3) status pending), we are reaching out to you to ask for your help with the Ukrainian Village Fund's first initiative: providing generators to children and their families in a beleaguered town, Toretsk, in my home country of Ukraine.

Toretsk is located in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Like so many towns and villages outside of main metropolitan areas, it does not benefit from much of the missile defense system and is bombed relentlessly. Now Toretsk lacks all basic infrastructure and will for years.

Generators will provide the most basic need to the children and families remaining in Toretsk: electricity. We are collaborating with Vladimir Oreshkin, the Head of the Educational Department of Toretsk, to ensure that all the funds raised bring generators to all the children and families who need them the most.

Toretsk, a small mining town founded in 1836, was once a bustling community of 50,000 citizens, with a vibrant industrial scene that comprised five coal mines and two machine-building factories. The 16 schools, 14 kindergartens, and 3 youth resource centers were once teeming with life, serving over 6,000 students and 2,100 preschool children. This town, filled with history, tradition, and generous Ukrainian people, was a lovely, peaceful place.

However, the tranquility Toretsk knew was shattered in 2014 when Russians attacked and brought war to the doorstep of every person in the town. Situated on the demarcation line, the town was constantly bombarded by Russian troops with missiles and bombs, disrupting everyday life. Basic amenities like water, gas, and electricity became luxuries as many buildings were destroyed. Schools closed their doors as children were unable to attend.

This already dire situation took a horrific turn in February 2022 with the full-scale invasion by Russian troops. Persistent, powerful shelling has created unbearable living conditions for the citizens of Toretsk. The industrial lifeblood of Toretsk, its enterprises, are now in ruins. Since April 2022, Toretsk has had no water, and since May 2022, no gas. Intermittent electricity means houses are without heating or running water. Tragically, the town has lost 193 citizens and seen 75 wounded within the first year of the war and death and destruction continue daily.

The educational institutions ceased operations in February 2022. Three schools, an Inclusive Resource Center, and two kindergartens are completely destroyed, while most other facilities are too damaged for use.

To protect their future, the children of Toretsk were prioritized for evacuation. Today, while 3,755 students continue their studies remotely, and 580 children find refuge abroad, 638 children remain in Toretsk. These children, who are unable to leave the city due to various constraints, are living in incredibly harsh conditions, often without water, gas, or electricity for weeks or months.

My grandchildren and I have initiated this campaign for Vladimir Oreshkin because of his unwavering commitment to his town. Together, we have a clear aim: to raise funds to purchase generators for these families in Toretsk. With these generators, families will be able to cook meals, heat their houses, and provide a more bearable living environment for their children. We are collecting the funds through our non-profit organization, the Ukrainian Village Fund of Massachusetts, Inc. and all funds collected for Toretsk will be wired directly to Toretsk, Ukraine. If we reach our goal of $50,000, we hope this will be sufficient to expand our generator program to reach other towns and villages in Ukraine that are suffering like Toretsk. Our website tracks all funds collected.

We recognize that this is a significant task. However, we believe in the power of collective action and generosity. Each contribution, regardless of size, can bring light, warmth, and hope to a family in Toretsk.

Thank you for your empathy and for opening your hearts to the struggles of the Ukrainian people. We are grateful for any help you can provide, and kindly ask you to share this campaign within your network to reach as many kind-hearted individuals as possible.

With gratitude,

Maria Wozniuk Connolly

Theo, Cora and Matthew