August 25, 2022 at 12:05 p.m.
Rhinelander Kiwanis Club wrapping up Ukraine relief effort
Rhinelander Kiwanis Club wrapping up Ukraine relief effort
The club has been accepting financial donations since February when the Russian military invaded Ukraine. The goal was to raise $10,000. To date, the club has received over $28,000. A majority of those donations came from the Northwoods, plus some donations from Wausau and Minneapolis, according to a club press release.
"There are millions of Ukrainian civilians that have been forced out of the cities that they called home and because of this displacement the need for many daily essential items is urgent and will be ongoing," the release states. "If you would like to donate, checks can be made payable to the Rhinelander Kiwanis Club and dropped off at Peoples State Bank, LaSalle St. Securities or mailed to the Rhinelander Kiwanis Club, PO Box 631, Rhinelander, WI, 54501. All donations are sent to the Kiwanis International Foundation in Luxembourg, Europe. Kiwanis International then purchases essential goods and Kiwanis members distribute the goods throughout the Ukraine region."
The Kiwanis Europe website states, "These donations will go directly to the local Kiwanis clubs on the Romanian and Slovak border that are helping the (Ukrainian) refugees."
The financial donations have been used to purchase and deliver items such as pallets of food, water, diapers, clothing and battery packs for charging phones, the release continues.
The overall Kiwanis International Ukrainian Relief effort has raised over $1,000,000 in Euros.
The Northwoods community response has been impressive, and the Rhinelander club has surpassed its initial goal of raising $10,000, the release notes.
Ryan Hetland, a long-time Kiwanis member who has spearheaded the local efforts, would like to graciously thank everyone that has supported this campaign.
"From early on the community has been very supportive with their words and generous with their donations," Hetland said. "This makes me proud to be a member of our local club and of our local community that cares enough to do something to help people we don't know."
"Our mission is to change the world, one community at a time and one child at a time," added Rhinelander Kiwanis Club President Stephanie Dahlquist. "We are making this happen, with the support of so many so thank you! It feels great to be part of a service club that is international and know that we can help each other from so many miles away."
The donations sent from Rhinelander to Luxembourg have gotten the attention of Kiwanis leadership in Europe. Hetland has received personal emails of gratitude from Josef-Peter Schachermayr, the President of Kiwanis International Europe, as well as Bernard Altmann, Ambassador of the Kiwanis Children's Fund Europe.
Contact Ryan Hetland at 715-365-1030 if you would like more information about the Ukraine Relief Program.
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