Update: Generosity of Boyertown Area Brings Smiles To Sister City Bohodukhiv

Linda Weinberger, the determined force behind local efforts to aid Bohodukhiv, Boyertown's Sister City in Ukraine, shares the following update about how much the packages and cash mean to these children and adults struggling to survive amid Russia's attack on their country.

by Linda Weinberger

As promised, I want to share a follow-up of the project we collectively joined to “Put Smiles on Small Ukrainian Faces.” Lots has been happening.

First, as a result of  your generosity the grand total collected for the project was $4315, which included cash donations, flower sales, a Thrivent grant, a Giant gift card, Amazon gift donations, and gifts with shipping costs donated by friends and family.

Gift bags of holiday treats purchased, collected, and shipped to Boyertown's Sister City.

We sent 12 parcels averaging 20 lb. each. The shipping company we use is MEEST.com, based in NJ. All parcels have been received, though one took a very circuitous and exciting route around Ukraine, and was finally safely delivered to Vita Kharchenko, my friend of over 20 years. MEEST IS AMAZING, and I can track each parcel on its journey. The flashlights went by sea because we realized they had rechargeable batteries. They have been delivered.

We ended up with excess funds which have been put in a separate account under my name. We have used those funds to send one additional parcel of warm hats and mittens for children, packaged  hand warmers, and gluten-free food (very scarce during wartime), as well as two parcels of chocolates and another package of flashlights.

Vita’s husband is a member of the Territorial Defence Force and asked if the members of the force could have some of the flashlights. YES, of course, so some are being used by these forces and some given to families with children. An additional 75 flashlights are enroute by sea. Vita will see to it that more families with children receive those.

Men fighting as part of the Territorial Defence Force value the small flashlights that were shipped.

The drawing contest was a huge success, with 40 children participating. All were awarded with goodie bags stuffed full of gifts. Vita said the initial 11 children who came to pick up their prizes were truly shocked and surprised and could hardly believe the items actually came from America. Yes, they did, and they came from YOU!! Other children came with parents when they could and were equally amazed, excited, and nearly in disbelief at the gifts they received.

All drawings are currently on display in the youth center in Bohodukhiv. Vita will be taking photos of the drawings and I’ll send them along when I get them.

A first grade teacher is glad to receive supplies that will be used when children return to school.

Svieta Solozhenets in Lviv tells me that the hot chocolate and marshmallows we sent keep up her spirits and those of her extended family. She says there is nothing equal to hot cocoa in UKR and when she feels emotionally down, she whips up some cocoa. Prior to the war she was training as an osteopath with teachers from St. Petersburg. Of course, all of that ended abruptly, and she and her family fled from Kharkiv to Lviv.

Svieta's daughter (age 15) attends school in person every other week; the school basement can only accommodate half the student body for air raids. On the alternate weeks she has lessons online when there is internet and electricity. Hot chocolate reminds them all of happier times. A second parcel of cocoa and Oreos reached them just a few days ago. Svieta said that they were without electricity when it arrived and it really lifted their spirits.

Vita, too, reports that school is often only until 11 AM  online and then electricity is cut off. Sometimes they can resume after 4 PM. She has kept busy trying to create lessons to keep students engaged. She is also busy delivering items we have sent to those in need, while trying to keep her family and elderly parents safe and warm. Vita’s family recently received a gas-powered generator with funds donated by two individuals specifically for that purchase.

During the weeks of January 22, Bohodukhiv had air raid sirens going off every 20-25 minutes, everyday. Try to imagine school, daily life, sleep. Try to imagine parents with children. 

Just a few little bits’n’pieces of interest:

- The parcels in our Smiles project were sent to 8 different addresses of friends of Vita’s so that we could avoid customs charges. Vita’s husband collected them all.

- We  will continue to support the people in this small town in UKR. At this point, monetary donations are most useful. I send those to Vita and Svieta via Western Union, going directly from the checking account to their debit cards, thus avoiding transfer fees. Food prices are extremely high.

- I have asked Vita to let me know of other needs with which we could help. Stay tuned. . .

- My photo appeared in the Bohodukhiv newspaper! At Vita’s request, I sent a photo and wrote a message of “congratulations” on Christmas and the New Year. 

- We have connected a few pen pals—teenage girls here and in Bohodukhiv.

A teenage girl is excited to receive a hair scrunchie from America.

- As always, thank you is such a small word to convey the heartfelt gratitude for your support and caring for the people in this town.

- Please let others know about our initiative and share my contact information: Lmweinberger@gmail.com

If you missed The Expression's original article about Linda Weinberger and her Sister Cities relief efforts, you can read it here.

Young children received clothing and toys.

More News from Boyertown

• What is your FAVORITE thing about Boyertown? Kevin Bates, a Boyertown based Facebook group administrator, posted a question: “What is your FAVORITE thing about Boyertown; responses showcase that our gratitude abounds.
• A Pictorial Tour Through the History of Boyertown: Main Street Businesses page 20 Main Street--page 20