Ridgefield Launches A Ukrainian Sister City Relationship

**News Release Submitted by Ridgefield Responds**

May 22, 2023

Ridgefield, CT and the city of Druzhkivka in Ukraine officially became sister cities after a unanimous vote by the Board of Selectmen. Today, May 17, First Selectman Rudy Marconi issued a Proclamation to underscore the bonds of compassion, kinship, and support with the people of this city in the besieged eastern region of Donetsk. On the same day, 5,000 miles away, Mayor Serhiy Boyevskyy signed a companion proclamation in Druzhkivka (pronounced droozh-keev-kah and derived from the Ukrainian word for friendship, druzhba).

“Through this program, our community can engage with Druzhkivka in many different ways. There will be opportunities for individuals, families, businesses, schools — everyone to take part now and in the future.” said Marconi. Mayor Boyevskyy expressed his deep gratitude:, “We truly appreciate that the people of Ridgefield care about the well-being of Ukrainians.”

Ridgefield and Druzhkivka were matched as sister cities based on shared characteristics. Before the war Druzhkivka, like Ridgefield, was a close-knit family-oriented town with gyms, parks, playgrounds, and the largest ice-skating rink in Ukraine. Now, most of these facilities are destroyed.

Understanding the intense needs

What the city of Druzhkivka and its citizens have been through is unimaginable. Having endured frequent shelling and bombing for more than a year, the fundamental infrastructure is crippled. Only about half the population remains in the city.

Many residents fled, some perished, others are unaccounted for. However, more than 30,000 residents resolutely remain in Druzhkivka, predominantly women, children and the elderly. At last count this included almost 10,000 children, more than 1000 individuals with disabilities, and more than 13,500 people who have been displaced from their homes. All these remaining citizens are suffering a critical need for shelter, electricity, heat, drinking water, food, and medical care.

The aim of the sister city program is to help provide some much-needed relief to these courageous residents in Druzhkivka. Ridgefield’s program will be coordinated through Ridgefield Responds: Hope for Ukraine with Ukraine Aid International (UAI) as their partner in Ukraine.

“We are so grateful to the people of Ridgefield for standing behind the people of Druzhkivka in their time of dire need,” said Marshall Mayer, UAI President and co-founder. “Our team on the ground in Ukraine is ready to work with you to deliver help and hope to your sister city.”

Ridgefield joins Westport, Greenwich, Stamford, and Easton in working with UAI in a sister city relationship.

In the first video meeting between First Selectman Marconi and Mayor Boyevskyy, the mayor shared some of the most urgent needs for the citizens of Druzhkivka:

• Vehicles, equipment, and materials to help with search and rescue, clean-up of rubble and debris, reinforcement and structural stabilization of partially bombed buildings where residents continue to live, and more.
• Equipment and machinery to drill communal wells; water filtration and purification systems to ensure clean, potable water
• Medical equipment and supplies for first responders, including stretchers, bandages, rehabilitative supplies such as slings and crutches, bandages, gauze, iodine and hospital equipment such as MRI, ultrasound, colonoscope
• Civilian needs and supplies including tools, small gas generators, lanterns, sleeping bags, school supplies, canning/pickling jars.

The Town of Ridgefield has helped to kickstart the drive by donating an unused high-capacity generator. “We are grateful to the town for this very powerful generator.” said Ross Voytovych, of Ridgefield Responds. “It’s a generous start to the drive. It demonstrates a real commitment and sets an example for all of us.”

Mobilizing to provide meaningful help

“This is not just a symbolic gesture”, said Annetta Hewko, Chair of Ridgefield Responds: Hope for Ukraine. “We want this to be real and meaningful. We are kicking off this relationship with a community-wide donation drive. This will be the first in a series of activities to support and connect with the people of Druzhkivka.”

To kick off the sister city relationship, Ridgefield Responds has organized a Spring Donation Drive for Druzhkivka, May 24 – June 24. We are inviting all individuals, families, businesses, and organizations in our community to respond to the call for help.

• Donate money. When you make a donation, the funds will be used by our partner UAI to purchase equipment and machinery, such as vehicles or water filtration systems, locally and deliver them directly to Druzhkivka. This means faster delivery, reduced shipping costs, and support for the economy of Ukraine. (No money is sent to Druzhkivka. Only goods, machinery, and equipment purchased by UAI get delivered, hand-to-hand, on behalf of Ridgefield.)
• Donate goods and equipment. As you do your spring cleaning or if your business is retiring any equipment, check the list to see if you have items that are needed. Items collected will be shipped to Ukraine with the help of one of our generous donors and delivered hand-to-hand in Druzhkivka by the UAI team.
• Donate time and energy. Sign up to volunteer for the Spring Donation Drive or future events. Help with the Ridgefield Responds website, social media, or PR needs.
• Spread the word. Follow Ridgefield Responds on social media (Facebook, Instagram). Use your own social media networks to help get the word out or simply tell a friend, colleague, or neighbor.

For more details about the Spring Donation Drive — including the full list of items needed, schedule and location of collection, instructions for drop off, and volunteer opportunities — please visit www.ridgefieldresponds.org or our Facebook page.