The City of Elmhurst, Elmhurst District 205, Elmhurst Park District, Elmhurst Public Library, and Elmhurst University have joined in organizing an event on Wednesday, April 6th to support the people of Ukraine. Various local organizations will be participating and all are welcome to attend. Together, Elmhurst community members will stand in solidarity with the heroic people of Ukraine as they fight to maintain their democracy, while showing support to those who are concerned for their loved ones abroad, the millions who have been displaced, and for those grieving lives lost.
A moment of togetherness. A candlelight vigil will take place on Wednesday, April 6th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Wilder Park. The community will be invited to join in a moment of togetherness which will include words spoken by our community leaders, the Consul General of Ukraine, personal stories from members of the Ukrainian community, a moment of silence, and a reading of the State Anthem of Ukraine. The event will be recorded and posted to the City's YouTube page, ElmhurstTV. Attendees should follow signs for public parking options which include the Wilder Mansion Parking Lot, Adelaide Parking Deck, and Elmhurst University's Alexander Parking Lot.
A day of giving. Please consider making a financial contribution to established organizations that are working to support refugees of this crisis. Before making a contribution to a charity, research how the organization uses its donations, and ensure that your donation is designated to support the crisis in Ukraine.
Some places to start your research are BBB Wise Giving Alliance ( https://give.org/ ), Charity Navigator ( https://charitynavigator.org ), or Charity Watch ( https://charitywatch.org ), which is available in print at Elmhurst Public Library as Charity Rating Guide & Watchdog Report ( call number: 361.76 Cha ).
Many reputable organizations are offering relief to the Ukrainian people including those who are being displaced. Below are listed some of those organizations that are in need of monetary donations to help their relief efforts.
Medical Aid and Military Protection
https://www.comebackalive.in.ua
Come Back Alive supports the Armed Forces of Ukraine through financing purely defense initiatives. Since 2014 they have provided around 1000 thermal imagers and over 250 UAVs. They are providing bullet proof vests and protective helmets to Ukrainians. Their mission is to help save lives of Ukrainians and help our warriors defend Ukraine.
https://bank.gov.ua/en/news/all/natsionalniy-bank-vidkriv-spetsrahunok-dlya-zboru-koshtiv-na-potrebi-armiyi
National Bank of Ukraine/Special account to raise funds for Ukraine’s Armed Forces
https://www.rsukraine.org
Revived Soldiers Ukraine is a US-based tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN): 47-5315018. Revived Soldiers Ukraine is dedicated to providing aid to the people of Ukraine in support of their fundamental human rights and medical rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers. With the help of committed supporters, they can continue their work to assist families and soldiers in Ukraine.
ukrfreedomfund.org
Ukraine Freedom Fund is a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) originally established in Kyiv in 2014. Provide medical aid to Ukrainian defenders. 100% of donations go towards assisting Ukrainian defenders.
Humanitarian Aid
https://razomforukraine.org
A US-based and registered 501c3 non-profit organization, founded in 2014 after the Revolution of Dignity. Focused on delivering tactical medicine items, hospital supplies, and tech enabled emergency response supplies that facilitate the delivery of this aid. They send on average more than 70 pallets of aid to Ukraine each week. They have scaled our operations significantly since February and continue to expand their capabilities. To deliver aid in Ukraine, they collaborate with partners on the ground.
https://help.gov.ua/en
Official government site collecting Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine /Ukrainian Government
https://umana.org/UkraineDonation.php
Ukrainian Medical Association of North America created a tax-exempt 501-c-3 non-profit Foundation. Donations currently provide critical medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine by working closely with UMANA branches in the United States and Canada. UMANA is collaborating with select charitable organizations who are already on the ground in Ukraine and surrounding countries
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ua-bwb-bua
UA Brokers Without Borders is a British rganization set up by a group of Ukrainian citizens united by the same cause - to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. They work closely with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and have already sourced and delivered more than 1,000,000 euros worth of protective gear and equipment for the Ukrainian Army; more than 600,000 euros worth of free medical equipment for Ukrainian hospitals (patient monitors, mobile x-ray machines and ultrasound devices); tactical tourniquets, individual first aid kits and hemostatic bandages; 20+ pallets of medications and more
https://donate.wck.org/give/394390#!/donation/checkout
Work Central Kitchen serves hot meals to refugees. Since 2010, WCK has provided tens of millions of fresh, nourishing meals for communities around the world. Donations today will be used to support emergency food relief efforts for Ukrainians in need.
Ukrainian Refugee Info
Although the United States is not yet issuing new visas to refugees, here are some resources on how to provide shelter.
https://www.shelter4ua.com/en
The mission of this small website is to connect people who need help due to a war in Ukraine and those who are ready to provide it.
https://www.ukrainetakeshelter.com
UkraineTakeShelter.com is an independent platform helping to connect Ukrainian refugees with potential hosts and housing. This website is a public bulletin. They encourage everyone with spare space to post a listing and to mark their listing as filled once they have successfully taken in refuge.
Other International Charity Groups
SavetheChildren.org
ProjectHope.org
GlobalGiving.org
DirectRelief.org