Putnam County Holds Mothers Day Collection Drive For Ukrainians

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Putnam County officials are hosting a drive to collect supplies for Ukrainian refugees Friday through Sunday at the Paladin Center on Seminary Hill Road in Carmel.

Thomas Lannon, Director of the county’s Information, Technology & GIS Department made a webpage about the drive. It includes a list of items needed for adults, children and medical responders; a link to a Putnamcares page on Amazon if you'd like to purchase medical supplies to have sent; and a signup form for volunteering your time.

Also, the page links to three agencies providing assistance, including the Polish Siepomaga Foundation, Polish Humanitarian Action and Caritas Ukraine.

The collection hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Neal L. Sullivan, Chair of the Putnam County Legislature, represents parts of Mahopac that have a big Eastern European population. He called Sylwia Wojcik, a Mahopac resident and native of Poland, to see what the community needed.

Wojcik and neighbor Karolina Zaba previously helped to gather things for their friend’s supply drive. They started soon after the war began and had sent a 600-pound box of diapers, formula, over-the-counter medicines and sanitary supplies for the refugees. Shipping heavy supplies overseas are not cheap. The two were fortunate to find a company to pay for the box to be sent by air.

“Using the county’s extensive networks and the megaphone of county government gives us an
opportunity to do a lot of good,” Sullivan said. “We have the ability to connect the local group with
donors and not-for-profits who have experience in fundraising and shipping. And we have the ability to publicize the supply drive and fundraiser. I know that Putnam residents will turn out for this event.”

Wojcik said she is grateful for the county’s help.

Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville reached out to the New York State Fraternal Order of Police, which graciously agreed to serve as the 501(c)(3) organization handling the donations so that individuals and organizations who are able to make large donations, like the cost of shipping, will be able to receive a tax deduction.

“The Sheriff’s Department will be on hand to provide whatever assistance is needed,” McConville said.

Mother’s Day Weekend is the perfect time for a humanitarian effort, particularly one that is helping mothers and children and the families who are supporting them.

“This year, along with buying flowers for Mom, Putnam residents might consider donating to one of the organizations that is helping refugees,” County Executive Odell said. “As a mother myself, I know – a donation to those in need will make any mother proud.”

For the list of ways to donate and items needed see: putnamcountycares.com/ukraineaid/
For more information on Putnam County, see putnamcountyny.com/