Hello, Friends.

 

I never envisioned that in 2022 I would be telling a story that affected my family so deeply, relating to war and humanitarian crisis or asking for the help of friends and strangers. As you know, the Russian invasion onto Ukrainian soil, which began on February 24th, has caused thousands of Ukrainian women, children and elderly to flee their homes with only the clothes on their backs to bordering countries. As this crisis unfolds, we have been mobilizing to help our relatives and the incoming refugees in a place so close to my family's home and heart. As we cannot currently head back home or help on the ground, we are attempting to assist as much as possible from where we are. This, however, has become a task much more significant than just a single person or family can take on.

 

The majority of our relatives currently reside west of Krakow, Poland. While they are fearful for their own future, they have been doing everything in their power to help those who need it most. My cousins, aunts and uncles have helped transport and bring their own Ukrainian family members and the many women and children looking for refuge to safety. While we still have several more family members to get to Poland, to date, they have 13 refugees housed in their own homes, a family of four in a vacant, owned apartment in Krakow. We have also rented out two additional apartments: one in Krakow (two mums with 3 lively kids staying) and the other in the neighboring town of Dobczyce (4 people staying). We will continue to take in as many people as possible (each apartment can hold about four-six people). As they get situated, in touch with friends or loved ones in other countries and find more permanent solutions, we bring in the following families who need accommodation, food and supplies.

 

While we have provided some financial assistance, this is much bigger than us. These families currently require diapers, formula, wipes, bedding, food supplies, clothes for children aged 4 -13 years, towels, sanitary products, and medical equipment, as each child's needs differ in complexity. We are looking to supply insulin for a diabetic child and care for a disabled parent. We also hope to upkeep rent for the apartments, these are rentals for 3 months at a time. You may not know or imagine Poland currently faces its own economic and humanitarian crisis. Grocery stores are nearly empty due to widespread panic buying; fear of nuclear disaster has led to the near selling out of iodine pills. ATMs have been completely cleared of cash, and banks have little reserve causing people to travel from small towns and villages to cities hours away to get what they need.

 

Your donation will go directly to these Ukrainian families in Poland- the organizer of the operation on the ground is my aunt and godmother- my mom's sister, as well as her two daughters and their husbands. They purchase all supplies and secured the apartments that are now extremely hard to come by, out of pocket, and are housing refugees in their own homes, today. Should we exceed our fundraising goal, any remaining monies will be used in Canada to purchase more supplies and shipped directly to Krakow by me.

 

Every single dollar would count and make a difference ($1 CDN = 3.35 Polish Zlote); therefore, quite literally every single dollar could mean food, a toy, a toothbrush, anything. I realize this is an enormous task, and not everyone can provide financial help. If, however, you can share and send this link to anyone in your circle, that in itself would be more appreciated than you will ever know.

 

Thank you for all the help, shares, and love received from the bottom of our hearts. We and so many others are eternally grateful.

 

The Dyrda Family.