Editor’s Note: the previous version of this article misreported the amount fundraised by the TOUCH Project. The amount raised was over $80,000.
While the war between Russia and Ukraine persists, a group who frequently travels to aid Ukrainians will hold a public meeting on Oct. 29 from 4-5:30 p.m. in Corvallis to share about their travels and give updates on projects in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
The Corvallis-Uzhhorod Sister Cities Association, which helps connect Corvallis with their sister city in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, and the Take One Ukrainian Child’s Hand project, which helps connect Ukrainian children in need with a sponsor, will hold their meeting at the Public Library Meeting Room on 645 NW Monroe Ave. in Corvallis.
According to Alice Rampton, co-director of the TOUCH Project, the meeting is free to attend and open to anyone who would like to join and hear updates from its 12 participants who visited Ukraine this past year.
Many of the individuals had their own missions during their visit, such as working with medical teams, lectured to biology departments, helping cardiology patients and more.
“We always do a report out when we get back and share what we saw, what we did, how things are going over there,” Rampton said.
Last year, the TOUCH Project raised over $80,000 for Ukrainian children in need. The group goes and meets with program leaders in Uzhhorod and disperse funds where needed.
For example, a school for the deaf wanted to set up a new computer lab, and this year they will remodel a classroom in Uzhhorod.
“We always talk about the war and the situation because people want to know what’s happening,” Rampton said.
$400,000 was raised last year by the SSCA specifically for Internally Displaced Persons, many of which are currently displaced from their home, living in Uzhhorod.
“We love to tell people that Corvallis does have a sister city,” Rampton said. “For us, it’s created such a natural way to become friends and associates with people in another community across the world, that especially need our support right now.”
