By John Thornton Rotary Club of Scottsdale I am sponsoring the Naumenko family from Kyiv Ukraine under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) humanitarian program. U4U is a program of the United States Citizenship and Immigration section of the Department of Homeland Security. My role as sponsor is to provide free housing and utilities for two years and to help them through the systems of obtaining licenses, Social Security numbers, work permits, schooling, bus passes, integration into American life, etc. Other non-required assistance will likely be provided as well for humanitarian support and simple friendship. Sponsoring a refugee family with whom I have no relation makes no economic sense whatsoever so don’t look for one. I just got so repulsed by a notion of a war in Europe in my lifetime and the war atrocities committed on the Ukrainians that I had to do something big and bold. The U.S. has a strategic interest in supporting Ukraine as well, so this form of citizen diplomacy serves the national interest. The Naumenko family is a dad, Slava, a mom, Tanya, and 6-year-old Tima and 2-year-old Misha. Slava is an implantologist (dentist, DDS) and Tanya is (was) an economist. The parents speak English quite well and I selected them because they seemed highly motivated to become self-sufficient, they are intelligent and energetic. Slava is giving up a thriving dental practice to protect his two boys and wife. They arrive June 28th at 10:20 a.m. after travelling overland into Poland, flying to L.A. on the 21st, debriefing with Ukrainians there before the final leg to Phoenix. They’ll be living near Shea and Tatum in a condominium I bought and am fixing up for them. If you are inspired to support a refugee family, then you’ve got an opportunity with this family. The kids are in need of essentials and toys. The Rotary Club of Scottsdale is hoping to fill a toy box before they arrive on June 28. Below is the link to the Amazon wish list. The club is encouraging Rotarians in District 5495 to purchase an item or two. When you purchase items, they will be sent directly to the family. Amazon link: Contact John Thornton at 602-717-0730 for additional information. UPDATE JULY 1, 2023: The Naumenko Family that John Thornton has sponsored arrived last Tuesday. They are settling nicely in Arizona, but may be a bit surprised with our triple digits weather! We would like to thank the generous Rotarians that supported the children with toys and books. 54 packages of toys, books, backpack, swimming gear, wagon, grocery cart, car seat, and much more were delivered to them. Thank you for your generosity in helping this family and the kids! They are very grateful. Sincerely, Jan Gray |