A Lincoln businessman is spearheading a new emergency operation to help Ukrainian families displaced by the war Ukraine. Steve Glenn, Chairman of Executive Travel, says Operation Safe Harbor Ukraine is partnering with individuals, businesses, and churches passionate about helping Ukrainians and want to make sure their support goes directly to refugee families without being lost in a giant bureaucratic mess.
Operation Safe Harbor Ukraine is an emergency effort to provide housing, food, and medical supplies for 200 Ukrainian refugees during April with the hopes it can be extended and grow based on successful fundraising efforts.
Executive Travel is launching the operation by pledging a matching $25,000 donation. Executive Travel is also paying to fly staff members and volunteers to Warsaw, Poland to set up the operation at the Best Western Hotel and other hotels as the effort grows.
Glenn says a new website www.operationsafeharborukraine.com has been launched to explain details of the humanitarian effort to house Ukrainian war refugees. The website includes a tax-exempt donation link through a partnership with Heartland Bible Church. 100-percent of all donations go directly to Ukrainians in need, with zero administrative fees.
“For the last four weeks, I have been watching the tragedy in Ukraine with horror,” Glenn says. “Millions of Ukrainian people have fled to Poland and many of them are now refugees without shelter, food, toiletries, and medicine. We have decided that our family and our company will not stand by and watch people suffer from the cold winds of winter with no shelter, food, or medicine.”
Operation Safe Harbor Ukraine is asking for help from local citizens and businesses, hoping to raise a minimum of $85,000 each month to pay for the hotel rooms, food, and medication for 200 Ukrainians. Additional Ukrainians can be supported as fundraising efforts are successful.
“I would like to personally challenge my friends here in Nebraska to step up and show the world the heart we have as Nebraskans.” said Glenn. “Nebraskans have always been known for our kindness, heart, and sense of community. Right now, no one needs that more than Ukrainian citizens who have been horrifically driven from their homes and their country by the Russian forces. No donation is too small. Every dollar helps families experiencing the most difficult time of their lives.”
Executive Travel has secured a team of volunteers from Lincoln and throughout the U.S. to travel to Warsaw, Poland, to organize the humanitarian efforts. To participate in this humanitarian initiative and learn about Operation Safe Harbor Ukraine’s mission, please visit www.operationsafeharborukraine.com