CARMEL – Putnam County Government is joining forces with members of the Polish community to send food, supplies, medicine and monetary donations to help the millions of Ukrainian refugees who have taken shelter in Poland.
A Mother’s Day weekend collection drive will be help on Friday, May 6 through Sunday, May 8 at the Paladin Center at 39 Seminary Hill Road in Carmel.
Over 4 ½ million people have fled Ukraine to escape the atrocities committed by Russian forces.
“We can’t just sit back and watch a country be destroyed and its citizens displaced and not offer help,” said County Executive MaryEllen Odell. “Poland is doing its share. Putnam County residents want to help, too.
The county has a website that shows what is needed, a link for medical supplies, where to donate money and how to volunteer your time.
Sylwia Wojcik of Mahopac, a Polish native, and her neighbor, Karwolina Zaba, previously helped gather items for their friend’s supply drive. Shortly after the war began, they sent a 600-pound box of diapers, formula, over-the-counter medicines and sanitary supplies for the refugees. They were able to find a company to pay for the box to be sent by air.
“Using the county’s networks and the megaphone of county government gives us an opportunity to do a lot of good,” said County Legislature Chairman Neil Sullivan.
“It’s so hard to watch from a distance,” said Wojcik. “The Polish people have opened their homes to the Ukrainians. They are housing refugees, feeding them, trying to get their children into schools. “t’s not fo0r a week or two. It’s going to be a very long time.”
Deputy sheriffs will be on hand for the weekend collection drive to assist in any way possible,” said Sheriff Kevin McConville.
