08/19/2024
I'm sharing the message below from my friend and neighbor, Charlie Walsh who recently returned from a mission in Ukraine to interact and break bread with Ukrainians and listen to their stories before returning to the states and asking for support. Please help if you can and/or share this post. Grateful-Patrick
~ Imagine your hometown being wiped off the map.
~ Imagine the city where no one lives.
~ imagine the landmarks in your life – where you went to school, where you were married, where you worked, and played, and loved, and prayed – erased.
^^ [New York Times, 6/4/24]
Message from Charlie Walsh;
This is Ukraine. It is the reality that I heard about but wanted to witness firsthand, because I had resolved to do what I could to help the people of this proud country survive this barbaric invasion by Putin and his Russian army.
I recently had the privilege of joining a group of three others in a humanitarian visit led by the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States. The US Ukrainians have created a humanitarian fund focused on addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds of this genocidal war. Although we were unable, due to safety concerns, to go to the combat areas to witness the absolute decimation of the eastern region, we were able to meet with many people who once lived there to receive their accounts of the horrors of this. We also met with the mayor of Lviv and the mayor of Mariupol, as well as wives, mothers, and fathers of fallen soldiers. The former gave us their firsthand accounts of what had happened in their cities, while the wives, mothers and fathers spoke of losing family members in bombings and drone attacks. Grief and pain were etched on their faces. A father who lost both his legs told us of his son who begged him for permission to enlist. After much anguished consideration of his son’s request, the father gave his son permission. Within a week his son was killed on the front. The father now carries horrible feelings of guilt and loss that consume him. It is so clear that the people are weary of the war, emotionally depleted, and bearing immense suffering. They worry their allies will tire of supporting them. Most significantly, they fear the worst if that support ends.
One of the critical needs of the people is mental and psychological healthcare. Trauma is the greatest threat to the long-term rehabilitation of the country. It is this vital care that I ask for your help -- to consider a donation to help the soldiers and civilians, including children, who are suffering from severe trauma. Hundreds of thousands desperately need professional help. Virtually everyone we met believes that psychological damage will have a lasting debilitating effect on their people and country if trauma is not treated.
I was at dinner with a family whose mother sat across from me, her head down and clearly in serious depression that had only gotten worse over the course of the two years since her son was killed. During our meal, she finally raised her head with her eyes unfocused and said, “I did not raise my son to die in war,” and then lowered her head. I will never forget that moment nor her expressionless face.
There is so much more I could say about my visit with the emotionally broken yet resilient people of Ukraine. I realize that all of us have our chosen charities and that today there are so many parts of the world that cry out for help. I ask—no, I implore you--to consider Ukraine and its resolute people. And if you know of anyone who would like to join you in a donation, please pass this on.
With my deep gratitude, Charlie
HOW TO DONATE
The Healing of the Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit registered in the United States. EIN 23-1986964.
All contributions are immensely appreciated – large or small – and will be matched up to $50,000.
Ways of donating:
Check
Credit Card
Qualified Charitable Donations (QCDs from your IRA)
Donor Advised Fund
The link below includes the address as well as QR code.
Please remember to check “Charlie Walsh Appeal” box on the website or write Charlie Walsh Appeal on your check.
Please support my important cause!
