Whether big or small, donations of money or goods to aid Ukraine are flowing from Park Ridge and Norridge institutions and individual citizens.
Donations range from medical supplies to cash raised from special dinners and events, and even a Brownie troop bake sale. Key individuals involved either know colleagues in the war zone or grew up not far from the Polish-Ukrainian border.
Polish medical group is shipping supplies
One resident involved in funneling relief that can have an impact is Norridge’s Tomasz Poplawski. He is assisting Peter Brukasz, president of the Chicago-based Polish-American Medical Society, in collecting medical supplies for Ukrainian hospitals and shipping them to Warsaw for final delivery across the border.
“Peter wanted to help right away,” said Poplawski, who grew up in Zomosc, Poland, just 20 miles from the border. He knows all too well the closeness of Polish-Ukrainian social and business connections. Poplawski had helped Brukasz with marketing prior to the invasion, and simply shifted into a higher gear.
“Peter worked with Doctors Without Borders,” said Poplawski. “He wanted to get Polish doctors involved. I could help him with transportation, arranging for a warehouse and trucks.”
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Some 10 volunteers, including doctors, connected to the Polish-American Medical Society helped collect donations in a March 12 event at the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra’s new location at 5400 N. Lawler Ave. in Chicago, said Poplawski. He said Central Infusion Alliance, a Skokie wholesaler, has pledged $20,000 worth of supplies. Brukasz said Marcus Neuroscience Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., already has sent medicine and sleeping bags, and has committed even more supplies.
“We already have six pallets of supplies,” he said.
Brukasz said the last hurdle is raising funds to pay a freight company to package the supplies for air shipment to Warsaw.
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Brownies sell cookies, raise $800 for Save the Children
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All ages at Mary, Seat of Wisdom School in Park Ridge were fundraising for Ukraine.
Brownies Troop 47272, comprised of first through third graders, conducted a bake sale on March 11 after school that raised $800 for nonprofit Save the Children’s efforts in Ukraine.
The bake sale was part of a week-long series of service projects, which were tagged as “kindness activities.”
“Our Ukraine Service Project was for global outreach. The girls wanted to focus on helping kids, just like them, who are in need,” said Joan Mattingly, secretary of the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Catholic Council of Women’s board.
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On March 18, the Knights of Columbus Maria Council 4836 and Mary, Seat of Wisdom’s Council of Catholic Women had a fundraising fish fry at the school gym.
Money and donations were received, as part of a Knights of Columbus’ Ukraine Solidarity Fund.
“This initiative by the Knights of Columbus worldwide has already raised $7.2 million to provide temporary shelter, food, medical supplies and religious supplies directly to displaced Ukrainians.” said Rob Gawronski, who heads up the local Maria Council.
“The event was scheduled pre-Ukraine,” said Joan Mattingly, secretary of the CCW board. “As an adjunct, people were asked to donate for Ukraine. Everyone is heartbroken about Ukraine. We can’t imagine the pain and suffering those people are going through with families broken apart.”
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March 30 dinner to benefit Ukraine
Steve Kowalczyk couldn’t make it when Chicago chefs got together recently cooking up a benefit for Ukrainian relief.
So Kowalczyk, head chef at Harp and Fiddle, 110 S. Main, Park Ridge, decided to run his own event. So at 7 p.m. March 30, the Irish-themed pub and restaurant will hold “Cooking for Ukraine.” Harp and Fiddle will donate 20% of proceeds to Ukrainian relief, with Kowalczyk still deciding the exact recipient.
“We’ve gotten about 30 reservations so far,” said Kowalczyk. Cost is $85 per person with a $35 deposit to secure a spot. Reservations are at 847-720-4466.
The bill ‘o fare for “Cooking for Ukraine” includes basil bisque, shrimp risotto paired with chardonnay, pan-seared duck breast with cabernet, and pretzel brownie won tons.