EDITOR:

1. On Monday, March 21 you can show your support for the Ukrainian people, as they defend their right to freedom, independence, and their democratic form of government against the Russian invasion. From 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, we will gather on the corner of Lincoln Road and Ludington St (US 2) by Walgreen’s pharmacy to peacefully protest against the brutal Russian invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine. Those who join us are invited to make and carry signs supporting the Ukrainian people and opposing the destructive and deadly Russian invasion of their country. Please refrain from using foul language or images. Please park in the lot on the west side of Walgreen’s or on side streets, and do not interfere with Walgreen customers’

access to the pharmacy.

2. We urge you to donate to humanitarian relief efforts for the approximately 3.5 million Ukrainian refugees and civilians whose lives are in danger in Ukraine as the Russian military indiscriminately bombards their homes, schools, churches and hospitals in towns, cities, and suburbs across the land. As in all wars, it is civilians, especially children, women and the elderly who are being hit hardest and are suffering terribly.

Give as generously as you can to help lessen the pain and suffering caused by this brutal and devastating war. As of today, more than 3.5 million Ukrainians–mainly women, children and the elderly have taken refuge in other countries. mong the many groups that are providing humanitarian aid and assistance on site in Ukraine and in neighboring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Moldava where millions of people have sought refuge and shelter are:

UNICEF: The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, www.unicef.org.

International Red Cross: The IRC has people in place assisting in Ukraine and neighboring countries, www.icrc.org

Caritas: a Non-profit relief agency related to the Catholic Church, Caritas is working in Poland where the majority of Ukrainian refugees–over 2 million have gone. www.caritas.org.

World Central Kitchen: WCK has already provided over 1-million warm meals to hungry refugees in camps just across the border from Ukraine in Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Moldava, www.wck.org

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee: UUSC is working directly with the UU Church in Hungary where nearly 300,000 Ukrainians have fled the war. www.uusc.org or go to www.uua.org and click on the box, “Support for Ukrainian Refugees.”

Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps currently has boots on the ground in Ukraine, Romania and Poland working at the local level, providing food, water, medical & sanitation supplies, transportation and cash where necessary to refugees and victims of this inhumane war, www.mercycorps.org/ukraine.

United Way: The United Way Worldwide Fund for Ukraine is providing immediate assistance such as shelter, transportation, food, medicine, and critical childcare supplies such as infant formula, https://secure.unitedway.org/a/unitedforukraine .

Dan Young

Escanaba