Above / Ukrainian forces received medical equipment from US to care for women and children fleeing their country. Naperville Sister Cities Commission is spearheading local fundraising to support the effort. (Photo courtesy Deb Newman)
The Naperville Sister Cities Commission welcomes the community to join its efforts to raise funds to provide desperately needed medical supplies and equipment to Ukrainian refugees. Nitra, Slovakia, one of Naperville’s Sister Cities, is located on the border of Ukraine.
“Members of Naperville’s Sister Cities Commission have been watching the ongoing military invasion in Ukraine with the same shock and helplessness as many in Naperville and around the globe,” said Naperville City Councilwoman Patty Gustin, who serves as Council Representative to the Commission. “As this ongoing humanitarian crisis evolves, we know one thing will remain in the coming days and week-displaced Ukrainians need our assistance.”
Sister Cities Commissioner Peter Foyo also serves as an Honorary Counsel of Ukraine and is working closely with other business owners contracting planes to transport refugees from Poland to Madrid, Spain, where those in recovery are receiving temporary shelter and care. All donations raised will be used to purchase portable medical equipment and supplies urgently needed to provide them care.
All donations, small or large, welcome
To make a secure donation via credit or debit card, visit http://helpdisplacedukrainians.com.
“The needs of the people fleeing for their lives are enormous. Our hope is to show Naperville’s compassion and the power of resolve and cooperation as we support those forced from their homeland,” noted Foyo, who has family and friends in Ukraine. “This is a testament to community, health care providers, nonprofits and business working together to make a difference in caring for these refugees. I am so very grateful.”
Sister Cities Commission since 1993
The Sister Cities Commission creates a greater understanding of and fosters a lasting friendship between the people of Naperville and its sister cities: Nitra, Slovakia; Cancun, Mexico; and Pátzcuaro, México. The commission supports the goals of the Sister Cities Program including creating opportunities for cultural exploration; providing economic development and trade opportunities; opening a dialogue that addresses mutual issues; and developing partnerships through which we can creatively learn, work and solve problems together.
Other ways to give this month
Rotary/Sunrise Drive-By Drop-off Diaper Collection / May 13
Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise is holding a Drive-By Drop-off Diaper and Mom’s Essentials Drive from 8AM to 10AM on Friday, May 13, in front of The Naperville Park District Administration Building at 320 W. Jackson Avenue in Downtown Naperville. The no-contact event is planned to support West Suburban Community Pantry which serves over 500 families each week from all over DuPage County including Naperville, Lisle, and Woodridge as well as Bolingbrook and Romeoville.
“As essential as they are, diapers, baby wipes and personal products cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits,” said Deb Newman, public relations chair for Sunrise Rotary. “Sunrise Rotary is dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in our community. This is a great opportunity to help moms in need take care of their children and themselves.”
Items needed include: Baby Formula, Baby Formula Coupons, Diapers especially sizes 4,5,6, Pull-ups, Baby Wipes, Diaper creams and ointments and Feminine Hygiene Products.
Donors may drop donations curbside for collection by Rotary volunteers. All donations will be delivered to the Pantry at its Seven Bridges Woodridge location at 6809 Hobson Valley Drive Unit 118.
Buddy Poppy Distribution is set May 25-May 29
As the city becomes decked out in patriotic colors and new banners fly featuring local Veterans, past and present, from 150 poles throughout the city, five days prior to Memorial Day will present a time to pick a bunch of Buddy Poppies to share with family and friends.
According to Buddy Poppy Days coordinator, Bob Colby, from May 25 through May 29, Veterans and volunteers will be stationed in front of supermarkets in high traffic areas at local shopping destinations. Volunteers with red artificial poppies available on Styrofoam boards will accept much-appreciated donations of any size to help fund unmet needs of disabled men and women who have served in the military. Funds also support other service programs offered by members of the Judd Kendall Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3873 and Naperville American Legion Post 43.
A small number of volunteers will be distributing Buddy Poppies at the Memorial Day observance in Central Park at noon Mon., May 30, after the Memorial Day Parade, Colby added.
Prior to Memorial Day is a time to pick a bunch of Buddy Poppies to share with family and friends—and to wear proudly during the week to observe the federal holiday that started back in 1868 when it was called “Decoration Day.” Memorial Day “poppies” emerged after World War I as the U.S. national emblem of remembrance in 1920.
Folks say they don’t carry around cash much these days. Perhaps keep some pocket change in your spring jacket to have handy when shopping at your favorite supermarket.
Folks also are known to fasten Buddy Poppies to the dashboard of their car as a reminder to remember every day.
Post Updated / May 12, 2022
