“I really liked the process of packing and delivering the aid. I especially liked how everything was organized.” A volunteer from Chicago, Jeffrey Trautmann, about his own experience helping the elderly in our foundation.
Jeffrey Trautmann is a volunteer from Chicago who crossed half the globe to personally participate in helping our seniors.
First, Jeffrey told us about how he found himself in Ukraine. 2 weeks after the full-scale invasion, Jeffrey arrived in the Polish town of Przemyśl. There, a camp for Ukrainian refugees was set up on the territory of the hypermarket. Then he stayed in Przemyśl for three weeks as a volunteer: he coordinated the movement of refugees, distributed food and basic necessities. After almost a month of volunteering, he returned home to Chicago. Later, he entered the query “volunteering in Ukraine” in Google search. Among other organizations, it was the Starenki Foundation that responded to him. He wrote us an e-mail saying that he wanted to come and help. In February, Jeffrey already participated in our packing and delivery of aid.
We asked Mr. Trautmann what he liked most about volunteering and what he felt while doing it. Jeffrey replied with a smile, “I really enjoyed the process of packing and delivering the aid. I especially liked how everything was organized. However, I was a little upset that I was not able to fully communicate with the other volunteers due to the language barrier.”
Jeffrey said he was very surprised to see 90+ year-olds still fully conscious and managing their lives on their own. At the same time, he was very sorry to see how physically difficult such a life was given to them. Then he once again realized that he had made the right choice.
We also inquired about Jeffrey’s future plans. He replied that he likes Ukraine. Even in spite of the danger. Here he feels in his place, helping older people. And Jeffrey plans to learn Ukrainian!)
Every member of our team who has met and volunteered with Jeffrey speaks highly of him. We are happy that such bright and sincere people are attracted to us!) We will be glad if even more volunteers from abroad will join volunteering in our foundation. Even in the darkest times, people find the courage to help
Together we are invincible!