As the war between Ukraine and Russia continues, local organizations are stepping forward to aid Ukrainians by collecting donations for supplies.
The Rotary Club of Tallahassee Northside is locally and internationally involved in community service. Their connections and ability to communicate with the president of the International Rotary Club of Lviv in western Ukraine enable them to know what is needed and where it is needed.
In an interview with WTXL, Damon Victor of the RC of Tallahassee Northside said they’re focusing on collecting donations to help cover all the Ukrainian people’s needs. The list includes everything from food and medical supplies to thermal underwear.
“First and foremost, it’s food for hospitals and orphanages that have been damaged,” Victor said. “Secondly, we have been working with medical supplies, we’re talking about first aid. Thirdly we’re talking about civil types of relief items such as chargers, generators, batteries, thermal underwear, clothing, those sorts of things.”
The Rotary Club has set up a page on their website dedicated to raising awareness, where individuals can donate any amount to help the cause.
Explosions in wartime destroy or damage clinics and hospitals, putting a strain on medical services. As a result, healthcare workers are fleeing, leaving these facilities understaffed to deal with the rising number of patients brought on by the conflict.
Most hospitals rarely keep pharmaceuticals and consumables on hand for more than a few days due to storage space constraints and the cost of maintaining extensive inventories. When treating war casualties, supplies such as antibiotics and bandages quickly run out.
Another local group raising awareness about the war in Ukraine is His Kids Too, a Tallahassee non-profit assisting Ukrainians for years. Teresa Fillom is the organization’s founder and director.
In an interview with WTXL, Fillom stated that many Ukrainians are stranded in the cities without power, food, or a way to flee.
“Right now, there is no water, there is no electricity, there is no food on the shelves, no transportation, there is no way to get out of town,” Fillom said. “We want to bring awareness, we want to bring support to the Ukrainian people, and hopefully, the Russian people will open their eyes.”
They’re hoping to gain aid from the local community to help re-establish Ukrainian families.
The front page of His Kids Too’s website provides all the information needed to learn more about their mission and lists several ways to donate to help Ukraine’s children.