New Hampshire Ukraine Relief Fund Launches
NH UKRAINE RELIEF FUND LAUNCHES
UPDATE: $10,000 CHALLENGE MATCH ANNOUNCED
Brett Scott of Scott Enterprises in Concord has generously offered to match all gifts to the NH Ukraine Relief Fund up to $10,000! Thank you! It's easy to give >here.
One of the best things about New Hampshire is the spirit of its residents. Those people who can take an idea, roll up their sleeves and start making things happen.
It’s happening right now as the Ukraine crisis nearly 5,000 miles away. What began as a conversation during the NH Business segment hosted by Fred Kocher on WMUR has catapulted into a collaborative, statewide effort to bring relief to those enduring the Ukraine crisis.
This week the New Hampshire Ukraine Relief Fund launches, thanks to the vision and collaboration of Sean O’Kane, former commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, David Tille, former New England Regional Administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Alex Ray, owner of The Common Man Family in New Hampshire, John Tinios, owner of the Galley Hatch & Popover Restaurants, Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Granite United Way, the Lech Walesa Institute in Poland, and Dean Kamen, founder of DEKA.
“During that NH Business segment, we began talking about our connections to Ukraine, and what we could do to help those in need,” said Sean O’Kane, who led the first ever US trade mission there in 2005 and have maintained friendships there with several people since. “It’s gone from a conversation to a humanitarian relief campaign we are launching this week.”
The group connected with Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Granite United Way, to develop an efficient and effective way to handle monetary donations.
One hundred percent of donations will be directed to relief efforts in Ukraine, through a partnership between Granite United Way and the Walesa Institute.
Donations for the New Hampshire Ukraine Relief Fund can be made here.
“This effort showcases how New Hampshire often uniquely addresses things,” said Tufts, “We are a state of visionary, compassionate and driven individuals. While we recognize that no single entity can solve one of the world’s most complex issues, we do know that together we can create true impact.”
Tille has a strong tie to the Ukraine as well. Over the summer, he hosted three members of the Ukraine Parliament here in New Hampshire. He has also helped to coordinate the upcoming visit of Lech Walesa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who served as the President of Poland between 1990 and 1995, when he will receive an honorary degree from Tille’s alma mater, New England College in Henniker.
“The needs are being identified in real time. I am in touch daily with Ukraine members of parliament and aid workers in Ukraine,” said Tille. “Recently, I received a video from Roman Hryshchuk, a member of parliament who had been here just this summer, thanking New Hampshire while wearing his Boston Red Sox cap. There are real ways we can help them, right now.”
In addition to monetary support, a widespread collection drive for specific items that are immediately needed.
COLLECTION DRIVE DATES AND LOCATIONS
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Friday, April 15, 2022
Saturday, April 16, 2022
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day
DEKA warehouse
540 Commercial Street
Manchester, NH
From Sunday, April 10 - Sunday, April 17, 2022 Common Man restaurants throughout the state will also serve as a drop off location for this effort, thanks to owner Alex Ray. Donated items will be collected at each of their sites. View locations at theCman.com.
The list of NEW, UNUSED ITEMS needed are:
- Tactical First Aid kits
- Hemostatic gauze
- Tourniquets
- Occlusive tape
- Burn bandages
- Sterile wipes
- Elastic bandages
- PPE
- Pill packs
- Tracheostomy kits
- NPA masks
- Dressings
- Pain meds (Tylenol, ibruprofin)
- Personal hygiene products
- Heavy duty hunting or military boots
- Heavy duty gloves
- Sleeping bags
- Insulated sleeping mats
- Diapers
- Sanitary wipes
- Boxes of tampons