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Agata Czopek, of Harrisburg, is one of the many people stepping up to help and encouraging her community to join her.
Czopek studied in Poland at Uniwersytet Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej w Lublinie, she has been the director of the International Institute for Exchange Programs for more than 10 years and has traveled extensively– both personally and professionally, according to her social media.
Over the years she has become friends with numerous Ukrainian residents– who are now traveling to Poland to get out of the warzone.
When she saw what was happened she felt compelled to do something, so she decided to launch a GoFundMe page to help her friends with shelter, food, childcare, and travel expenses.
On the GoFundMe page, she writes:
“All Ukrainian (men) under 60 years old can't continue their journey with their (wives) and children and are ordered to defend their country. My plea is not to just watch what's happening on TV but it's time to act, organize and help NOW!”
Her plea is being heard, in approximately five days over $8,000 was raised.
The efforts are already helping people, two families waded through “very long lines, exhausted and heartbroken for three days now, (and) the second group should be crossing the Hungarian border tomorrow. They all left their parents in Kyiv, (as) they refused to leave their homes,” Czopek wrote in an update on Monday, Feb. 28.
But things got better for the families, as of Wednesday she posted another update:
“OUR families & safe as they continue their journeys to safety. Some decided to make a stop and volunteer at refugee points even (a 5-year-old). The grocery store cashier's family has proven to be very generous on the outskirts of the immediate danger zone.”
The families have contacted her and one said "Our kids are running around today, it seems like they (quickly forgot) what's happening outside..."
Her community continues to rally for Ukrainians fleeing for safety.
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