FALMOUTH, Maine — Holly Maniatty of Falmouth is among the many Maine residents looking at ways to support the people of Ukraine, as Russia continues its violent invasion of the country.
"Maine is full of good people," Maniatty said. "We can do something."
Maniatty said she has been looking for ways to support those fleeing violence in Ukraine.
After contacting the Ukrainian Embassy to the U.S., Maniatty said she is looking to collect donations to help those who are most vulnerable. The items would then be sent to the embassy, which would ship them to aid stations near the Ukraine and Poland border.
"The items that were most important for triage aid. So if a civilian is shot, injured, or there's some sort of blast, these are the things that they're running out of so very quickly," Maniatty added.
Maniatty is collecting the following items:
- Gauze
- Anti-Biotic Ointment
- Medical Tape
- Rubbing Alcohol Pads (prep pads)
- Unscented Tampons
- Baby wipes,
- Powdered Baby Formula
According to Maniatty, these items would be delivered by the embassy to medical aid stations for civilians.
"There are mothers that left everything, and there are children that left everything. And that's kind of who we are. And that we don't turn our back on somebody that needs help," she said.
Donations can be dropped off at locations in Falmouth including Crossfit Dirigo, Lyman Moore Middle School (lobby), Foreside House of Pizza, and the Falmouth EMS/Fire station. She has also created an Amazon registry with the items she is collecting.
Maniatty added she is not accepting any monetary donations at this time and said she would be paying to ship items to the embassy herself.
"I just think it's the fiber of who we are. We are neighbors that help neighbors. And because those people happen to be across the ocean that are innocent doesn't make them any less neighbors," she said.
Donations will be accepted through March 26. Maniatty said she would then prepare them to be sent to the embassy.