LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, nonprofits have worked around the clock to send supplies to those who need it the most. On Wednesday, dozens of SOS International volunteers prepared medical supplies to send to Ukrainian hospitals.
Supplies were donated for the relief efforts. This is the second shipment International SOS will send to Ukraine. The program was also spotlighted by Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher’s Give A Day Celebration of Service.
One of the volunteers, Nadijka lypova, is Ukrainian.
“I have to help, that is my country and all of my family is there, I”m the only one in (the) U.S.,” Lypova said. “As soon as I saw this opportunity to volunteer, I just had to make time for it.”
Lypova says her family is still in eastern Ukraine close to the Russian border. She moved to the United States in 2014, shortly after Russia annexed Crimea.
“I think it’s been a week since my hometown was, since Russian troops left that town,” Lypova said. “The biggest problem right now is whether, for how long this territory will be free, because it’s out of question for us that they might come back.”
She adds that when it’s safe to; she calls her family as often as she can.
The fact that so many volunteers are helping support relief efforts is something Lypova says means so much to her.
“I do have an obligation, they don’t. That’s why their help actually is much more important than mine. It’s priceless,” Lypova said.
This shipment is one of the many SOS International has sent thanks to a network of generous donors and volunteers. Representatives with the organization say their work in eastern Europe is far from over.
“The focus right now is Ukraine, and it should be, but I do plead with everyone to keep paying attention because there is going to be many, many more impacted from this long after the last gun is laid down,” said Denise Sears, the president and CEO of SOS International.
More information about the nonprofit’s mission and how to donate can be found here.