WeHa Library: Ukraine War Not Over, Help Still Needed

WEST HARTFORD, CT — As Ukraine's courageous battle against evil Russian invaders approaches the one-year mark, the West Hartford Public Library is reminding folks the war is not over.

As a result, all three West Hartford Public Library sites in town are hosting collection drives for Ukraine that begin Monday, Jan. 23, and last through to Saturday, Feb. 11.

West Hartford's libraries are: the Noah Webster branch at 20 S. Main St.; the Bishops Corner branch at 15 Starkel Road; and the Faxon branch at 1073 New Britain Ave.

On Feb. 22, 2022, Russian troops ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in an overt attempt to take the country over and, in some cases, annex part of the country to Russia.

But what was supposed to take only a few days to a few weeks has lasted nearly a year, with Ukraine — with support from most of the world — inflicting massive casualties and taking the fight to the Russians, driving them to the eastern fringes of the country.

But the Ukrainian people are paying a horrible price, with military and civilian casualties high and the democratic nation suffering from infrastructure damage and property destruction.

When war broke out there nearly a year ago, communities nationwide hosted collection drives to support Ukraine's battle for survival.

And West Hartford is reminding folks that battle continues.

Which is why it is collecting items to be shipped overseas to help the cause.

Those items include: protein bars and snacks (like beef jerky); sweatshirts; Parka jackets; thermal underwear; winter hats; winter gloves; warm socks; power banks to charge devices; hand warmers; bathing wipes; and tourniquets.

A Russian strategy as the war rages in the winter months is to target Ukrainian infrastructure and power sources, something that stands to cut off power and make civilians suffer in the cold.

"The war in Ukraine is not over. The need continues," wrote the library. "You have helped before. Will you please help again."

For more information, contact Carol Waxman, the West Hartford Public Library children's services head. She can be reached at cwaxman@westhartfordct.gov or by calling any of the libraries.

For more information on the West Hartford Public Library system, click on this link.