UPDATED 05.02.2022 River Cities has partnered with neighboring Rotary Clubs to raise funds for Ukraine for humanitarian aid funding and over $47,000 has been raised since the beginning of March for the Rotary Club of Kyiv International. These dollars have been spent on food, bandages, first aid kits, beds, mattresses, blankets, gasoline for hospitals and volunteers - hygiene items and food must be packed, delivered, transported and distributed.
Rotary is a membership organization of individuals united globally to provide humanitarian service, help build goodwill and peace in the world. Two Rotary Clubs with over 5,000 miles between them have partnered to do just that.
The Rotary Club of River Cities (“River Cities”) formed a relationship with the Rotary Club of Kyiv International (“Kyiv International”) during Covid. Intermittently over eighteen months, these Clubs held joint virtual meetings, discussed fundraising, service projects and the challenges of the pandemic in each country. The relationship has continued, and, within two weeks, River Cities led grassroots fundraising efforts to provide humanitarian aid directly to Kyiv International.
As the Russian forces inched towards Kyiv, a River Cities member contacted the Kyiv International Club to inquire how River Cities could assist during this emergency and learned the immediate need for food, medicine, blankets, hygiene items, diapers, etc. River Cities made a goal to raise $5,000 within seven days to be transferred to Kyiv International for these items. Within a week, River Cities raised over $20,000 with support from local merchants, churches, and Rotary Clubs: Northfield-Wilmette, Arlington Heights, Northbrook and Glenview Sunrise and more.
The grateful president of the Kyiv International Club has attended the River Cities Club meetings via zoom from Ukraine. Now displaced herself, she provided a firsthand account of evacuations and explained the need for funding, donations, and distribution. Since, we have learned Kyiv International arranged for transport of over 485 tons of chicken and 200 tons of humanitarian aid to over 52,000 of individuals in Ukraine. More is needed and River Cities will continue to partner with other Rotary Clubs to raise funds for Kyiv International. You may donate via paypal to supply additional food, medicine, blankets, etc. Checks are payable to Rotary Club of River Cities; donations can be delivered to Alex Todd, Club Treasurer, at the Prospect Heights Library, 12 Elm Street in Prospect Heights.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X4RN2CEWRXGMUSharon Lynch, President, Rotary Club of River Cities
847-471-1984 sharonlynchhomes@gmail.com