Local Rotary clubs donate to Ukraine

Rotarians from Northwest Ohio gathered in Findlay Wednesday to donate medical equipment, tools and winter clothing to people in need in Ukraine. Rotary clubs that are a part of District 6600 donated to Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad Foundation, Inc., which collects and sends medical supplies around the world. Findlay's two clubs, Findlay Rotary Club and Flag City Morning Rotary, are both a part of District 6600, along with 58 other clubs in northern Ohio. District 6600 began donating to Ukraine in 2022 because of the conflict in the country. "Our district banded together and did some fundraising events and at that time ended up donating close to $184,000 to the Ukrainian efforts for refugees," said Diana Savage, immediate past district governor for District 6600. "Fast forward to the fall of that year, we did another campaign. We were able to raise another $50,000, plus received, from Rotary International, a $25,000 grant." With continuing MESA shipments, club and member donations, the support from District 6600 alone to Ukraine totals almost $500,000, Savage said. The donations collected in Findlay have over 5,000 miles to travel to get to their eastern European destination. "We are still partnering with Rotary clubs in Poland and the Netherlands to get the stuff into Ukraine, or near Ukraine," said Tim Ryan, district governor-elect. "Or in some cases what we're doing is we're assisting Ukrainian refugees in Poland." Along with Ukraine, MESA shipments of donations go to other countries, like Mexico, Brazil, Belize and El Salvador.