Superior Rotary Helping Ukraine
Superior, Wisc. — This February will mark two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Tens of thousands have died and even more people have been injured or wounded.
The Rotary Club of Superior is doing its part to help the Ukrainians and has been raising money since September.
The Rotary Club Ukraine Unity sent a video showing off an ambulance that other Rotary clubs from around the world have paid for.
That ambulance is similar to the one the Superior Rotary has committed to buy with the funds it’s raising for Ukraine.
“We learned that there was an opportunity for us to be part of a purchase of three ambulances,” said Joe Radtke of the Superior Rotary Club.”We’re working with the Rotary Club of San Antonio. They’re going to purchase two of them and our club is purchasing one of them.”
In addition to ambulances, big four-by-fours are also being bought. After some modifications are made, the heavy-duty trucks are used to enter the battlefields and bring the wounded to safety. The injured soldiers or civilians are taken to a main road where ambulances are waiting and where they can receive medical treatment. The San Antonio Rotary Club has led the effort among US Rotary Clubs to raise money to buy more than 120 vehicles from the UK’s Health Department.
Radtke said, “So right now, we’ve secured the ambulance, what we’re trying to do is fill that ambulance with various medical supplies and humanitarian aid.”
JC Clapsaddle from the San Antonio club, has been to Ukraine five times to help deliver the ambulances from the UK across Europe to Ukraine.
“Once we’ve emptied out the ambulances, we go to a location where they’re modified,” said JC Clapsaddle of the San Antonio Rotary. There they’re going to put a little bit of ruggedized suspension on them, they clean out the interiors and then just the basics, room to hold stretchers, a couple of chairs, heart monitors and some of the basic medical equipment.”
Clapsaddle is impressed with the Superior Rotary Club and how it has stepped up to help the people of Ukraine. ” So they’re contributing enough to buy one ambulance, and all the goods will be packed into the back of that. And we know that they are going to be contributing to at least one infant incubator as well as a bunch of tourniquets and bandages. So this small club in Wisconsin is going to make a big life-saving impact in Ukraine. And we really appreciate that club.”
“It’s very gratifying to be able to do our small part,” said Radtke. “I guess when you look at the bigger scheme of things, but it’s an important part, and the people that we have been working with in Ukraine want to make sure that everybody knows how much they appreciate everybody that has helped.”
People around the world…working together…to do what they can…to help others.
If you like to help the Superior Rotary Club raise funds for Ukraine, you can donate at superiorrotary.org
