Donation drive underway for Ukraine firefighters

Donations of all types are greatly appreciated, and many items are available at local drug stores and shopping centers.

MIDDLETOWN — Six businesses and organizations in Middletown are co-sponsoring a Ukrainian firefighters equipment drive that will support multiple fire services in Ukraine.

The event is a collaboration between Middletown’s South Fire District, the Community Health Center, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Wesleyan University, Keystone Paperbox and Action Moving, according to a press release.

The agencies also are teaming up with the Lviv Oblast Fire Department in Ukraine.

“Over these past several weeks, we have all witnessed the tragic events happening in communities across Ukraine, where relentless bombings of nonmilitary targets have caused thousands of injuries and deaths,” South Fire District Chief James Trzaski said in a prepared statement.

“Emergency responders have risked their own lives to save others by being on the front lines of providing critical assistance to those in need. Today, we seek to provide the highest level of support to these brave men and women,” he added.

The event will take place from April 9 and 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Fire District Firehouse, 445 Randolph Road in Middletown. During this time, specific supplies to support the Ukrainian fire service agencies will be collected, packaged, and labeled, and later shipped directly to Ukraine for support, the news release said.

Much-needed items include sealed-container pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), backpacks, bandages, water-gel burn aid, first aid kits, Cravat bandages, knee pads, medical adhesive tape, multi-trauma dressings, medical gloves, compression bandages, triple antibiotic ointment, eye wash, emergency “Israeli Battle” dressings, cervical collars, CPR masks, IV supplies, EMT shears, tweezers, safety boots, safety glasses, safety pins, stainless steel hemostats, splints, tongue depressors, suture supplies and tourniquets.

Donations of all types are greatly appreciated, and many items are available at local drug stores and shopping centers. Those wishing to make monetary contributions may do so at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County / Ukrainian Firefighters Equipment Drive.

Contributions may be made online at bit.ly/MCT-Fire or mailed to CFMC at 49 Main St., Middletown, CT 06457; with “Ukrainian Firefighters Equipment Drive” in the memo line.

All monetary contributions are tax deductible according to federal guidelines.

Olivia Drake / Contributed photo Several businesses and organizations in Middletown are co-sponsoring a Ukrainian firefighters equipment drive April 9-10 to support multiple fire services in Ukraine at the South Fire District firehouse at 445 Randolph Road.