PA Volunteer In Ukraine: 'It Was Eating Me Up On The Inside'

DOYLESTOWN — When Michael Parducci got off the train in Poland, the Bucks County resident witnessed dozens of Ukrainian mothers hovering over babies in car seats anxiously waiting for shelter.

At that point, he knew he made the right decision to volunteer on the front lines to help the mothers and children. Their husbands were required to remain in Ukraine.

“I was looking at all the reports and atrocities in Ukraine and it was eating me up on the inside,” Parducci recalled this week of his decision to join his friend, Forbes March, in helping the mothers and children in the exodus from their homeland.

First, Parducci set up a GoFundMe Ukraine Refugee Crisis website to collect funds to purchase supplies.

He used his vacation to go to the Ukrainian border in Poland for 10 days, returning on March 26.

“I just felt it was the right thing to do,” Parducci said. “I feel it was my calling. I met a friend there, and we keep in touch.”

Proud Dad Texts Son Daily

His father, Mike Parducci, a Vietnam veteran who resides in Valley Forge, Chester County, said he texted with his son several times a day.

The elder Parducci said he would watch the news to see what was going on and talk with his son.

“I would tell him what to look out for,” the father said.

As an example, Mike Parducci said, he advised his son to take out the SIM card of his cell phone when he crossed the border so he could not be tracked down.

“I am very proud of my son,” Mike Parducci said. “He got the refugees out. He made friends there. I hope he doesn’t go back soon.”

A daily routine

More than 2 million Ukrainian refugees fled to Przemysl, a city of 60,000 residents, in southeastern Poland.

Parducci said when he arrived, it was overwhelming.

The train station was filled with people carrying heavy suitcases, children and pets. The looked worried about what would happen next.

He said the scene was eerie, comparing it to George Orwell’s novel "1984" about a totalitarian government.

Parducci and his friend stayed in a hostel-like rooming house. The two worked in a World Central Kitchen, transporting food, baby care items and other items from large stores in Poland to the border.

The volunteers go to the store and load up several times a day.

At times, Parducci said, it was difficult to fall asleep.

“Russia is trying to terrorize the refugees,” Parducci said. “They (the refugees) were shocked and there was sadness. What was so inspiring is they have a tremendous spirit. They are not going without a fight.”

Parducci remains optimistic that Ukraine will not lose its country to Russia.

There was a moment when Parducci felt emotionally challenged.

“I met an elderly woman at the train station,” he recalled. “She had an enormous suitcase. I ran over to grab her bag.”

Parducci helped her get to the train. "She asked where I was from, and I said America."

She said, “God bless you. Americans are here to help.”