Rotarians work together to aid Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Devrin A. Kuipers
·2 min read

When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Rotarian Syd Ball asked his fellow Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Sunset to send financial aid to the Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum.

Lublin, Poland is a city located close to the border of Ukraine. The financial aid would be used to assist some of the more than 4.5 million Ukrainian refugees being displaced by the conflict, many of which are moving though Lublin.

The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Sunset quickly committed to the relief effort and was able to send $6,500 in a direct bank wired transfer to the Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum on April 2. Ball has established contact with Rotarian Mateo Karczmarczuk in Lublin, and on April 5 their Club committed funds to the Little Prince Hospice in Ukraine for children with cancer and other serious hard to treat diseases.

Mateo stated, "At the moment, Hospice accepts Ukrainian children suffering from cancer and other very serious diseases such as MS, multiple sclerosis. Children have also been provided with home treatment under medical care during the time of war in Ukraine. At the moment there are 20 critically ill children and 41 members of their families."

They will be using funds donated from Rotary clubs located in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Switzerland, as well as Oak Ridge Sunset, to help purchase the following items:

  • Modern device for sterilization of dental and surgical instruments

  • Portable oxygen concentrator

  • Rehabilitation nephrite bed

  • Treadmill for children

  • 5 professional rehabilitation mats, Thera Band,

  • Airex Balance Pad

  • "Obstacle Course," set of foam modules.

Mateo also advised that they have an urgent need for medicine and dressing materials for hospitals located in southern Ukraine.

"There is only iodine. People are dying of diseases that people used to die of in the 18th century. People with whom I work know how to deliver these medicines to the hospitals," Mateo stated.

Ball approved the release of funds to aid in this effort, and Mateo stated their Club "will make appropriate decisions and take immediate action."

You can help

This is an ongoing effort for the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Sunset as the conflict continues. For members of the community that would like to help by making a contribution, they may mail a check payable to Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Sunset, with Ukraine Relief in the memo field to: Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Sunset, 969 Oak Ridge Turnpike, PMB 234, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-8832.

Oak Ridge resident Syd Ball speaks to The Oak Ridger outside the city of Oak Ridge Municipal Building.
Oak Ridge resident Syd Ball speaks to The Oak Ridger outside the city of Oak Ridge Municipal Building.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Rotarians Work Together to Aid Ukrainian Refugees in Poland