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Metro organization gathering items for Ukraine war victims

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Family and relatives of people trapped in war-occupied Ukraine have launched a major humanitarian aid effort in the metro Atlanta area.

AtlantaforUkraine.com is collecting donations of medicine, tactical and medical supplies, non-perishable food, lightly worn clothing for men, women and children, kitchen essentials, first aid kits, tents, sleeping bags and hygiene products, candles, flashlights and generators.

They say this is just a partial list of the items needed to help those fighting for survival in the war torn country.

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Lana Lechtchenko, a immigrant from Ukraine, is operating one of a half dozen donation sites out of her home in Alpharetta. The garage and first floor of her home are now packed with humanitarian aid destined for Ukraine. She and others began the effort just three days ago.

On Sunday, dozens of volunteers were busy sorting and packing items into boxes in her driveway.

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“Tuesday night a large truck will take the donated items to New Jersey, from New Jersey it will be flown to Lviv, Ukraine and the supplies will be distributed inside the country,” said Lechtchenko.

The humanitarian distribution operation is being handled by Meest, an international shipping and transportation company.

Lechtchenko says she has had little sleep, fearing for the safety of her 85-year-old father. He is trapped alone in his home in a suburb of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

“He is real brave. I talk to him. People there never expected this. They are really afraid. The people there are trying to survive. They really need the simple essentials they don’t have now,” said Lechtchenko.

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Lechtchenko said the relief effort will continue for weeks, possibly months, and include container shipments of humanitarian aide from the Port of Savannah.

If you’d like to donate, click here.

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