A group of Miami County residents are raising money to help refugees fleeing from Ukraine as Russia continues its invasion. According to the Miami County Republic, a retired Paola Attorney, Sandy Hartley, has a close relationship with a former law intern in the county. That person has established a fund that is being used to house and feed Ukrainian refugees and Hartley has, in turn, worked to establish the Miami County Ukrainian Refugee Fund at First Option Bank. Hartley is clearing out the account every day and forwarding it to a Moldovan Bank account. As of yesterday, $11,530 had been donated to the account.
She says the funds have already been used to help 21 people, including women and families with children. Those receiving assistance are being placed in hotels in the capital of Moldova and provided three meals a day. Hartley said most of the refugees are hoping to get back to their homes in Odessa, Ukraine, but five are continuing their trip to Italy. Hartley says there is an immediate need and she’s not sure how long the account will remain open at First Option Bank, so she is urging local residents to donate what they can now.
