War in Ukraine

March 6, 2022

To the Wisconsin Lithuanian Community,

The MVSC Board of Directors would like to formally make its statement condemning the actions of aggression by Putin’s Russian military against Ukraine and its citizens. While conspiracies abound online as to the motives and reasons for Russia’s leader’s decision, the simple and disgusting truth is that Putin’s army escalated tensions with military buildup on the Ukrainian eastern border and then invaded thus violating the rights of nations as defined by the U.N. Charter:

“All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”

However, it is not pragmatic to discuss international charter law violations at this time and it is certainly not the conversation that should have priority. Rather, we as people ought to focus on the people being affected by this war. It is clear from reports that the damage of this aggression is already creating unmanageable psychological trauma for the Ukrainian people and a mass migration of over a million refugees. Remember also that the refugees are made up of mostly women and children.

Thus, need and need for support grows. This support can be shown in hundreds of ways. Our way for now is through this statement and we hope others in this community will show support as well. We must recognize that there are many Ukrainians in Wisconsin that could use emotional and communal support from friends, neighbors, and fellow humans. We must be conscious of the depleting mental health of communities who fear for relatives and loves ones either escaping or caught in the war zone. We must also recognize that the common goal is to stop the aggressor and restore world order. Only then can the Ukrainian people safely return to their country, their regions, their homes, and their lives. At least what is left of them.

Finally, it is important to mention that in keeping with the parameters of our by-laws MVSC cannot give directly to a Ukrainian relief effort. However, if you are looking for a Lithuanian organization to donate to that would create aid for the refugees and is vetted by the Embassy of Lithuania, Washington D.C. then the board suggests these two:

Blue Yellow USA 501c3 (foblueyellowukraineusa.org) A highly-respected NGO based in Lithuania providing a broad range of support to Ukraine.***

https://www.aukok.lt/projects/?projectName=Musu-sirdys-ir-rankos-Ukrainai& A donations portal with no administrative charges that routes funds to the Lithuanian Red Cross and its partners for Ukrainian humanitarian aid.

#StandWithUkraine

Sincerely,

MVSC Board of Directors

(s) Daina Zemliauskas – Juozevicius, President

(s) Ray Bandziulis, Treasurer

(s) Nancy Heingartner, Board Member

(s) Nijole Etzwiler, Board Member

(s) Chris McAttee, Webmaster

***If you have Paypal:

Click “Donate” and go to "send and request."
In the search bar type info@foblueyellowukraineusa.org.
Put in the amount of money you'd like to donate.

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