Common Man Family Launches $1 Million Match Ukraine Relief Fund

 

The Common Man hospitality family in New Hampshire has launched the Common Man Ukraine Relief Fund to benefit Ukrainian refugees and those assisting with relief efforts in Poland and surrounding countries, and has committed to matching up to $1 million dollars in donations.

 

 

Common Man owner Alex Ray launched the fund this week during a benefit he hosted to honor Lech Walesa, President of Poland from 1990-1995 and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Ray, Common Man family and Plymouth Rotary representatives will travel to Poland this Sunday to meet with Polish and Ukrainian Rotary representatives and other agencies providing relief to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in their home country. Their goal is to assess the most critical needs on the ground, make connections with relief agencies, and by partnering with Granite United Way, ensuring donations raised in New Hampshire would have a direct path to those in need. 

 

“We’ve lined up five days of meetings with people who can show us the work that is underway and what needs exist,” said Ray. “We’ll make sure it’s secure and we’ll develop relationships with those we can trust to direct the funds to go immediately to the most critical projects. We want our donations to go from our hand to their land.”

 

The Common Man has been part of a New Hampshire-based effort to bring relief to the Ukraine region, most recently offering its restaurants as collection sites for donations of critical supplies, which garnered vans full of medical supplies, diapers, toiletries, and more. Ray took that passion and rolled it into his announcement of the Common Man Ukraine Relief Fund, partnering with Granite United Way as fiscal agent to provide a convenient way for Granite Staters and beyond to donate. 

 

One hundred percent of donations will be directed to relief efforts in Ukraine and countries supporting Ukrainian refugees and matched, dollar for dollar, totaling $2 million.

 

“Alex Ray has the vision and passion to help others, and this generous match showcases that in the best way. Granite United Way was so impressed with Alex’s commitment to the people of Ukraine that we readily volunteered our services to be part of this important relief effort,” said Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Granite United Way. “We are honored to partner with him and the Common Man team to bring the help that is needed to those affected by the crisis in Ukraine. Alex recognizes that we can do more, more effectively, when we work together.”

 

Ray said he feels compelled to travel to Poland because while those of us outside of the war-torn region can’t change what Ukrainians are going through, we can help them suffer less by raising funds that will assist them in securing medicine, food, comfort and safety.

 

“The Common Man family, our guests, and supporters have spent more than 50 years striving to help others here at home and now, we are reaching beyond our borders,” said Ray. “We need your help NOW. Ukrainian refugees and their Polish hosts need YOUR help. Every donation will be doubled and will make a big difference to those in desperate need.”