MILLBROOK — Courtney Tshalis, the director of the Millbrook Library, said she was so moved by what Ukraine is experiencing right now while under attack by Russia, that she wanted to help. She wanted to somehow get the library and the Millbrook community involved.
Tshalis got in touch with Dutchess County Departments of Emergency Response and Public Works, which were working with the not-for-profit Afye Foundation, which “collects unused medical supplies and equipment from throughout the New York metro area and gives them a second life,” according to its website, www.afyafoundation.org. The state is working with Afye to collect the much-needed items for Ukraine and the now 2 million refugees fleeing the war-ravaged nation.
Tshalis set up a station to collect donations from the community at the library in March. People donated flashlights and batteries; diapers; deodorant; shampoo; face masks; hand sanitizers; health supplies; and personal hygiene items.
The feedback was great, said Tshalis, who personally delivered the donations to the J.C. Penney site at the Galleria Mall in Poughkeepsie. From there the items were taken to the Afye Center in Yonkers for shipment to Ukraine.
Tshalis said she was touched by community’s response to the library’s plea for donations, and not at all surprised by the generosity of Millbrook residents, noting they always come through in times of need.
Dutchess County likewise held a large supply drive for Ukraine just last week, with great results.
— Judith O’Hara Balfe
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