Five Towners help Ukraine

Responding to Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine, residents of the Five Towns are helping in any way they can, collecting and sending supplies to the war-torn country or offering their homes to refugees who make it to the U.S.

Dr. Tatyana Kopp, who lives in Woodmere, began collecting donations for Ukrainians on March 2 because “my heart just hurt,” she said. “As a mother, as a human, as anything — just seeing what’s going on is heartbreaking,” Kopp added. “The fact that not only are these people going through problems [and] the worst time of their lives, they’re also being separated as families.”

Although Kopp has contributed to a variety of relief efforts, she and her husband, Miroslav, both felt a personal connection to the situation in Ukraine. Both emigrated from Eastern Europe as children, Miroslab from Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, when he was 3, and Tatyana from Moldova when she was 6. Both now-sovereign countries were republics of the former Soviet Union at the time.

“There definitely was a bit of a personal tug at the heartstrings,” Tatyana said. “I just feel like if somebody can do good, they should do it.”

Using social media to spread the word, she asked for money, adult and children’s diapers, feminine products, personal hygiene kits, socks, underwear, first aid kits, bandages, acetaminophen and non-perishables.

By March 7, she was ready to ship the donations — along with nearly eight boxes of clothing, $200 worth of food, 400 travel-size tubes of toothpaste, 40 bars of soap, $500 in cash and more from co-workers, neighbors, friends and friends of friends. She spent the $500 on food and other supplies. All together, the donations filled at least 30 boxes. “I was so pleasantly surprised,” Kopp said.

The Village of Hewlett Harbor is also helping. Deputy Mayor Leonard Oppenheimer said that village officials plan to go door to door to make a resource list, asking residents if they are interested in contributing to the cause — money, clothes, space in their homes for refugees or business connections that might be of help.

“People have resources, and we’re trying to figure out what those resources are so we can match them to the needs of the people who are going to need it,” Oppenheimer said. He plans to open his home to a Ukrainian family seeking refuge.

Congregants of the Chabad House of Hewlett have been as gathering supplies — clothes and first aid and hygiene products — and hand-written letters to ship to Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Last week, Hewlett High School students helped pack and ship the Chabad House’s donations, filling nearly 40 packages.

“Generally speaking, the Chabad movement in Ukraine is the main resource for the Jewish community and for rescue and support,” said Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim, who leads the Chabad House. “For people who have relatives in Ukraine who are trying to escape, we are in touch with Chabad rescue teams basically all over Ukraine.”

Hewlett and Ogden elementary schools and Hewlett High School have teamed up to raise money for the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. Bagel Boss in Hewlett donated Ukrainian-flag-colored kosher cookies that the schools are selling for $5.

To contribute to the Relief Fund and buy a cookie, go to https://ogden4peace.cheddarup.com. Email Tenenboim about a loved one seeking assistance or refuge at rabbi@jewishhewlett.com.

Hewlett Harbor residents can contact Village Hall to contribute to the village’s developing resource list, at https://www.hewlettharbor.org/contact.php.

If there are other such collections and donations in the works, please tell the Herald. Send information to jbessen@liherald.com.