By Spencer Bates

The City of Oswego has announced that they will be participating in a two week supply drive to collect items to send to those in Ukraine.

In partnership with St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mayor Billy Barlow announced the drive will last from April 4-15. Citizens in Oswego can support the drive by donating essential items such as first aid kits, personal hygiene items and basic health items.

According to Lydia Buniak, a SUNY Oswego alumnus and Syracuse Branch President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, there has been a shift in what they are looking for in terms of donations as the situation continues to develop in Ukraine.

“We started off with certain things like hygiene [products], diapers and things like that but given how the situation has violently progressed it’s more for trauma, wounds and things like that,” she said. “Also keeping in mind people who are not only suffering from wounds but those who are undergoing treatment.”

Dr. Borys Buniak, Syracuse Branch President of Ukrainian Medical Association of North America, spoke on how first aid kits are high on the list of things he hopes to be donated.

“The first supplies that we are really looking for are first aid kits, basically anything to do with medical as one of the things we will be providing for the people on the front lines,” he said.

He also said that they are currently trying to work with companies to try and get them to sell Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs) at a discounted price. Some ranging as expensive as $125, monetary donations to the cause will go towards purchasing these IFAKs as they are already put together and are more styled towards being able to be carried on the front lines.

Outside of the supply drive, Borys Buniak and his group are looking to provide medicines to those in Ukraine who need it. Similar to how they are trying to work with companies to get IFAKs at a discounted price, they are working with hospitals to secure medicinal supplies.

“Other ones we’re trying to provide are insulin, high blood pressure medication, antibiotics, pain medication,” Borys Buniak said. “Those are the things required for people who have been injured or those delayed from getting into a hospital. There have been some companies that have provided us with that like hospitals will give it to us and we’re trying to call some pharmaceutical companies and they’re bringing some things over for us as well.”

Tylenol, Motrin, Robitussin, Mucinex and other over the counter medications are desired to be sent over as well. Getting the supplies into Ukraine is now the most pressing issue.

“Normally we’re able to get materials over there by a cargo plane but because we don’t know where half of the material is going … we’re sending people over with 20 suitcases full of medical supplies and are able to fly them over to Poland,” Borys Buniak said. “Once they reach the border to Ukraine, they have family members or friends who meet them at the border and they will take these medical supplies to the appropriate villages or cities.”

Along with the individual volunteers bringing suitcases, Borys Buniak noted how there are still planes of materials and supplies leaving the continent every week. This way things like medicine and first aid kits can be readily available.

“Weekly we’re having planes flying out of Chicago and out of New Jersey and out of Toronto,” Borys Buniak said. “They have planes leaving there on a weekly basis so anything that’s medical grade gets to Poland very quickly.”

Other supplies such as clothing will need to be transported by boat as the amount being shipped over is far greater than what can be carried by individuals or a plane. Shipping by boat, these materials may take anywhere from six to eight weeks to arrive to those who need it which is why donations now are so crucial.

Following the announcement of the supply drive, Barlow said in a press release that with the city’s track record of coming to the aid of those in need, it only made sense to start up the program.

“The Oswego community has a long, rich history of stepping up to help those most in need,” Barlow said. “As we watch the events in Ukraine unfold on television, I believe we all feel compelled to help. By conducting a supplies drive at City Hall, we give residents an opportunity to do our small part to help the people of Ukraine.”

For any local businesses who are interested in helping out with the city’s supply drive or are interested in starting their own drive, contact Barlow’s office at 315-342-8140 or mayor@oswegony.org.

Image via oswegony.org