Donations.....

Just after Russia invaded Ukraine I was wondering what I could do....one person all the way across the globe. Watching the news with pictures and interviews was so difficult, just heartbreaking. It made me feel so angry that the Russian bully was flexing his muscles and sending hundreds and hundreds to their death. The strength of Ukraine's citizens was more than inspiring....but they are up against such huge odds.

I knew we could send a contribution to a reputable charity and so many organizations were doing good work there....but I wasn't sure how to get our small donation to the right group without having it "diluted" by administrative costs. I wanted our contribution to benefit the people fleeing Ukraine and/or staying behind to fight for their homeland.

A Milwaukee television station did a story on local churches sending contributions so I ended up calling the Ukranian Catholic Church on the south side. I talked to a staff member there who explained that they were actively accepting donations for Ukraine and working with an organization in Poland to get what was needed. She said that once a week they received a list of the ten most needed supplies, purchased them here and sent them to Poland. On that end the organization delivered them to refugee camps or got boxes across the border and into Ukraine. She said 100% of the money donated went to either purchasing what was needed or paying for shipping....not one cent went toward any kind of administrative costs.

After talking to her I was still thinking that our small donation would hardly make a difference. Then I remembered just how generous Eastcastle residents had been with holiday donations around Christmas. The big Toys for Tots and food pantry boxes were filled and emptied over and over again. I talked to ECP's Executive Director and then our Director of Philanthropy. Suddenly we had a collection box at the front desk. Donations were completely voluntary and the box would be emptied just after Easter....and then one check would be sent to the church as ECP's contribution.

I have been more than thankful for the response to this small effort. Our blue box is going to make a difference.

As of April 18th we had a total of just over $5,600. This was so much more than I ever expected and I am just so moved, once again, by my thoughtful and caring neighbors. Eastcastle Place is a real community and a good place to live.