Ukraine Refugee Fund gets another matching grant; $700,000 already given to groups helping refugees

Carol Rose, Palm Beach Daily News
·3 min read
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With $700,000 already distributed to organizations helping refugees, the Town of Palm Beach United Way's Ukraine Refugee Fund has received another matching grant — this time from Howard and Michele Kessler.

The Kesslers — Palm Beach residents who are longtime donors to United Way — will match donations to the fund dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 the agency announced Monday.

“The Ukrainian people have shown incredible resilience and have been an inspiration to the world as they fight for their country,” the couple said in a statement.

“But unfortunately, Putin shows no sign of ending his ruthless invasion, and thousands of Ukrainian citizens continue to flee as their neighborhoods and homes are destroyed. They will need our continued support as they rebuild their lives in the months and years to come,” they said.

In case you missed it: Ukraine Refugee Fund gets new matching grants totaling $150,000 from 3 Palm Beach couples

And: Rabbi fleeing war-torn Ukraine with family welcomed by Palm Beach Synagogue

Howard and Michele Kessler have donated the latest $50,000 matching grant for the Town of United Way's Ukraine Refugee Fund.
Howard and Michele Kessler have donated the latest $50,000 matching grant for the Town of United Way's Ukraine Refugee Fund.

Previous challenge grants of $50,000 each from Huckleberry Foundation, Jim and Irene Karp, Bill and Phyllis Mack, Jeff and Nicola Marcus, Joe and Susan Plumeri, John and Jana Scarpa, and Susan and Dom Telesco have been met, the United Way said in a release. The fund now totals more than $1.6 million, it said.

Funds have been distributed to Americares ($200,000), Global Empowerment Mission ($200,000), the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee ($100,000), and World Central Kitchen ($200,000), United Way said. These organizations are providing food, medicine, medical supplies, emergency relief items, hygiene kits, transportation and other aid to refugees fleeing Ukraine, according to the Palm Beach-based charitable group.

World Central Kitchen founder Chef Jose Andres on the ground helping to provide fresh and comforting meals to families at border crossings, reception centers, shelters, and other locations along their journey.
World Central Kitchen founder Chef Jose Andres on the ground helping to provide fresh and comforting meals to families at border crossings, reception centers, shelters, and other locations along their journey.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, with President Vladimir Putin citing as his reason goal the "de-Nazification" of Ukraine's government. The attack has drawn widespread global condemnation and crippling economic sanctions that have cratered Russia's economy. What experts say Putin thought would be a quick war has turned into a quagmire with some estimates saying 15,000 Russian troops have been killed.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee coordinates evacuation efforts in Odesa, Ukraine.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee coordinates evacuation efforts in Odesa, Ukraine.

The U.N. Refugee Agency's data shows that of Sunday, almost 3.9 million Ukrainians had fled their homes for neighboring countries, with almost 2.3 million of them ending up in Poland.

"In the first week, more than a million refugees from Ukraine crossed borders into neighboring countries, and many more are on the move both inside and outside the country. They are in need of protection and support. As the situation continues to unfold, an estimated 4 million people may flee Ukraine," the agency said.

World Central Kitchen is distributing nourishing food and fresh meals across Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and Romania. The agency has served over 1 million meals since the conflict began. The organization received $200,000 from the Town of Palm Beach United Way.
World Central Kitchen is distributing nourishing food and fresh meals across Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and Romania. The agency has served over 1 million meals since the conflict began. The organization received $200,000 from the Town of Palm Beach United Way.

The Town of Palm Beach United Way created the Ukraine Refugee Fund on March 4 in response to the growing humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

With warehouses in Ukraine, Poland and Hungary, Global Empowerment Mission is providing emergency aid such as food, water, medicine, hygiene kits, and other basic necessities all across Ukraine. The organization also is providing relocation assistance, including transportation, housing, and case workers.
With warehouses in Ukraine, Poland and Hungary, Global Empowerment Mission is providing emergency aid such as food, water, medicine, hygiene kits, and other basic necessities all across Ukraine. The organization also is providing relocation assistance, including transportation, housing, and case workers.

"We are so grateful that our donors continue to offer matching gifts to help us raise funds for Ukraine," Board Chairman Mary Freitas said in a release.

She told the Daily News the United Way has been receiving letters and pictures from the organizations to which it has made donations.

"We are just so overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of support for these refugees from a war ... that was just thrust upon them," Freitas said.

Members of a partner organization in Ukraine pack up and transport medical supplies and medicine on March 22 from Americares to be distributed to a medical facility that has been converted into a trauma center for the wounded following the Russian invasion.
Members of a partner organization in Ukraine pack up and transport medical supplies and medicine on March 22 from Americares to be distributed to a medical facility that has been converted into a trauma center for the wounded following the Russian invasion.

"We can all learn from their bravery and their patriotism," she said, adding: "I’d love to see that here."

Freitas said she believed the fund is here for foreseeable future. "I don’t how the Ukrainian people are holding on but it makes me want to help them even more," she said.

To donate to the Ukraine Refugee Fund visit PalmBeachUnitedWay.org/United-Ukraine. Checks also accepted; make them payable to Town of Palm Beach United Way with Ukrainian Refugees in the memo and mail to 44 Cocoanut Row, Suite M201, Palm Beach, FL 33480.

Donations are tax deductible and 100% will benefit Ukrainian refugees, according to United Way. For more information, call 561-655-1919.

Carol Rose is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at crose@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach United Way gets more funding to help Ukrainian refugees