The Detroit chapter of Plast Ukrainian Scouts is putting together medical kits to help both civilians and soldiers in the Ukrainian army. The effort is being lead by high schoolers from across the region.
Even at a young age, Plast Scouts like Sonia Juzych and Kirilo Pereklita are determined to help their family, friends and the many others hurting in Ukraine.
They’ve stepped up in big ways, such as writing letters to Ukrainian soldiers, making posters to use in protests against the war, and collecting items like diapers, clothing and blankets people may need.
On Saturday, they packed medical kits to send overseas.
“Right now, we’re making these medical kits for the soldiers and any fighters in Ukraine right now defending the cities and on the frontlines, just for any medical care and first aid,” Pereklita said.
The kits were designed by Dan Olesnicky, a Plast Scout and trauma surgeon.
Medical supplies were donated by hospitals and businesses, while the Plast Scouts Detroit Chapter used some of their own funds to purchase items.
“They (medical kits) are composed with surgical gloves, some bandages, steri strips, ace bandages,” said the scouts’ Detroit’s branch leader, Christina Korduba Zachar. “They’re vacuum sealed and packaged.”
For Juzych, packaging those 200 kits will not only help those in Ukraine, but it also sends a powerful message.
“It just shows that we can all come together and help people all at the same time,” she said.
The kits will be sent through an Ukrainian shipping company called MEEST.
“It does feel really good to be able to put something in, especially this majors such as like medical supplies, or donating money or food,” Pereklita said. “It kind of makes us feel a lot less helpless in the situation.”