Yesterday morning, the “06880” Roundup asked:
Can we get $3,348?
That’s all that’s needed for Westport to reach its goal of $60,000. With just $3,348 more, we can fund two wood pellet machines — and provide heat, all winter long, to 2,000 residents of our sister city: Lyman, Ukraine.
Within minutes, we got it.
A generous and swift gift from a Westport couple — of exactly $3,348 — ensured that both wood pellet machines will be delivered almost immediately to the war-torn town.
Each machine provides wood for 1,000 people, living in badly damaged apartments after nearly 2 years of Russian attacks.
One of the wood pellet machines helping to heat Lyman.
With other donations that followed, Westport’s holiday fund drive has raised $62,672.14.
That’s on top of last winter’s $252,000, and a summertime “thank you” party that brought in nearly $50,000. Those funds have paid for an enormous variety of much-needed aid: emergency communication equipment, police and trash vehicles, meals, bulletproof vests for utility workers, children’s gifts, repairs to hundreds of apartments, portable heaters and more.
The sister city relationship between Westport and Lyman grew out of a similar project with Westport and Marigny-le-Lozon, France. That one began nearly 80 years ago, in the aftermath of World War II.
For 2 decades, Westporters helped our French friends rebuild. Youngsters who received Christmas gifts never forgot our town’s generosity. In 2022, when officials named a room in their Town Hall after Charlotte MacLear — the Staples High School French teacher who was an instrumental bridge — they suggested that Westport and Marigny join together to help a Ukrainian town. Russia had invaded that nation less than 3 months earlier.
Brian and Marshall Mayer — Westporters who founded Ukraine Aid International, a non-profit that ensures goods and supplies are delivered where they are needed most — identified Lyman, in the Donetsk region, as a place in desperate need of help.
Westport is proud of its relationship with Lyman. In addition to 3 separate fundraising drives, Bedford Middle School students sent artwork and letters. They were delivered by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas, who last spring became the first American officials to travel east of Kiev, when they visited their counterparts in Lyman.
Marigny too has been very generous. Beginning this summer, they collected 500 toys.
Thanks to Ukraine Aid International, they’re being delivered in time for Christmas.
For the second year in a row, Lyman residents are spending the holidays under siege.
But — thanks to Westport and Marigny — for the second year in a row, they know they are not alone.
Aid to Lyman is always welcome. To donate by credit card, click here; then click the “I want to support” box; then select “Westport — Lyman Sister City.” Scroll down on the Donate page for other options: mail, wire transfer and Venmo. Thank you!
