Weekly Review of Ukraine Efforts
This week I quietly worked on the next load that my husband will take to Ukraine - even though during part of the week he was still there - teaching.
So here goes.
I was sick during the week, so part of it I spent just trying to get well.
So…
Monday -
I went over to the church to move 100 quilt bundles to the garage. However, I ran out of steam after 50 and decided that was enough for now. I had wanted to see how many were in the room after I moved out 100. That is so that I can better plan who to give them to. The last photo is what it looked like after I had moved out 50+ quilt bundles to the garage.
While there, I took a look around what was in the garage waiting for the next load. I also took over some things that had arrived to the house.
Tuesday -
Nothing today except ordering more stuff on line.
Wednesday -
Nothing today except ordering more stuff on line. I thought Oskana would come today and we’d meet at the wholesaler and she could buy some food and chemical supplies, but she had to push it to Thursday.
Thursday -
I met Oskana (a Ukrainian lady we’ve helped before) at the wholesaler shortly after 9 am. We went to the first place where they have chemical and hygiene products before we went to the other one nearby which features food and the one I use regularly now.
She had two ladies with her - Bella and Sveta. Girl Power today. No husband was available to drive so the younger ladies drove. Go ladies!
The plan for the morning was to go into one shop and buy household cleaning and personal hygiene items. Then to another store for food. Then, over to the church for quilt bundles.
The day did look like that, but between the food shopping and the trip to the church was a several hour break because they went into Waraw to find more products from a donation point. I think she was able to get a couple boxes of clothing and some energy drinks. Here are the photos from this day.
They were able to get 151 quilt bundles in the van to completely fill it up.
While the ladies were loading up their van, a guy came to the church with 50 water filtering pitchers and filters and he unloaded them into the garage. He was fascinated with what we were doing. Of course, he felt so young to me - has his own business. He seems about the same age as my two oldest sons - maybe early 30s.
Anyway…
This leaves the room at the church looking like this:
We are planning on two more trips by my husband to two different groups that we’ve not helped yet and this room will be EMPTY. We have more plans for it as soon as it is empty and usable for what we are want to do locally for Ukraine relief.
I was also waiting for Mike and Tim to come back. They were later than they had hoped but made it safe and sound at about 8 pm.
I had stopped at a store and picked up some soups for the next trip AND some cocoa for Luda - Tim’s wife. She has asked for this from Poland - as she thinks our cocoa is good.
The guys finally got in about 8 pm and of course, I wanted to hear about things.
But we were beat. Then, I got a frantic note about 8:30 from Lena and asked if her pastor from Ukraine could stay at the church because a hotel was expensive and/or unavailable.
We suggested that instead, he should just come over to our house and spend the night at our house, The next day he was going to go to the airport. The bed in Lydia’s room was made up from a little while ago when I thought someone else was coming and ended up not using the room. That pastor, Igor, ended up coming over, but the men dealt with him - I went to bed as it all took longer than I had the energy for. It had been a long day for me. I also slept in the next morning so I didn’t even meet Igor. :) Mike and Tim dealt with him - they know him.
I was feeling lazy, but was so happy to have my husband home - and he made a nice warm fire so the house was cozy! (I hadn’t made a fire the whole time was gone so it had been gradually getting colder and colder in spite of a few warm days - don’t fuss at me!)
Friday
I got in some things I had ordered earlier in the week. Tarps, pads, gloves and other things for Ukraine. The pretty bags are going to be used for us in a local organized help for refugees. Rachel Hughes and I are going to try to do some help for those Ukrainians who are living nearby but could use help. They may be getting the short-shrift in all this help we’re doing and we’re trying to remedy the situation.
Saturday -
I spent some time shopping, ordering food for the next trip and going to the garage at church where I packed up some things and checked on what I had. I’m not sure which day they want to come and set up the Long-arm, so I chose to spend some extra time shopping today which I don’t normally do. Saturday is a big shopping day in general, and I prefer to leave the stores for the people who have no choice.
I failed to take any photos while shopping, but, here are a couple from the car.
I also had some packages come today from the package locker I went to get them.
The kinds of things we have for this next load - am planning on 50 family sets
Besides quilt sets, we have power banks, warm socks for both women and men in two sizes, a one-size-fits-most black stretchy leggings - 50 pair, hundreds of candles as shown above, razors - men’s and women’s, deo - men’s and women’s. shampoo, lighters, laundry detergent capsules, water filter jugs and filters, baby food, baby diapers, work gloves - both insulated and non insulated, Duct Tape, work knives am not sure what they are called but they use razor blades, ladies’ hygiene products like pads and liners, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, iodine pills, rechargeable flashlights, batteries, zipper type freezer bags, sponges, toilet paper, Bandaids but not that brand, disposable diapers, first aid kits, work lamps, lip balm, some canned main dishes like goulash or thick soups, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, pillows and pillowcases, 30 wool blankets, heavy duty tarps in small, medium and large sizes.
I ordered in some food as the wholesaler will prepare it - things like instant soups, ramen noodles, cereals, sweets, canned fish and meat, and seasoning mixes and they will deliver it the day we pack up the trailer.
And there you are. Sometimes you get a peek - but that’s what in these bags and boxes. I’m not done yet. Early in the week I still need to get some garbage bags, aluminum foil and some cleaning supplies for the bathroom and kitchen.
I am finally feeling I’m getting much better. My cough is just a smidgen of what it was on Monday and Tuesday - and each night now I’m sleeping better due to less coughing and phlegm. I am self-medicating with Vit C, D, zinc, and some OTC cold/flu meds.
Thanks so much for reading here - and for caring.
Have a great day wherever you are reading this.
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