Dmitry Feld, marketing manager for USA Luge in Lake Placid, poses with a sleeping bag at his office. He grew up in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and moved to the United States in the later 1970s. He has been leading local supply and fundraising drives for troops and citizens in Ukraine since Russia invaded his home country in February 2022. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

The Keene Valley Congregational Church has a growing pile of sleeping bags donated by North County residents and people in Vermont and elsewhere for people who need them in the warn-torn country of Ukraine.

Following their Jan. 1 service, the church’s volunteers began sorting and boxing various donations. Next, they will weigh and develop an overall manifest that Dmitry Feld of USA Luge will send to his colleagues, so they know what to expect. Volunteers will drive a truckload of the donations to the Newark Airport so they may be flown to Poland and sent on by train or trucks into Ukraine.

The need for winter gear in Ukraine is great. On Dec. 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that over six million homes were without electricity. Since then, the situation has gotten far worse. Russia, which invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year, has destroyed over half of the country’s power infrastructure, leaving millions without heat, power and running water.

In mid-December, Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, in Lake Placid for the December World Cup, said the best way for North Country residents to help Ukrainians during this challenging time is to send sleeping bags, winter hats, socks, gloves and underwear. Inspired, the church’s congregation decided to fill his request.

Heraskevych added the caveat that sleeping bags and clothing donations must be dark in color to help protect Ukrainians from being seen by Russian drones and snipers, and they should be new or in good shape as it’s usually frigid this time of year. In addition, he said new long underwear, top and bottoms, socks, hats and gloves for men or women could be donated. He also said they needed funding for generators.

The Rev. Susie Allen, left, and Debora Rice, chair of the Keene Valley Congregational Church Council pose with donations for Ukraine. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

Consequently, the Keene Valley Congregational Church, working in cooperation with Feld, launched a campaign — “Got an extra sleeping bag?” — seeking donations of sleeping bags and other requested clothing.

“Our church strongly sees such actions as one way to live out our commitment to love and, in a felt way, deepen our understanding of those suffering without safe homes and heat,” said Deborah Rice, chair of the KVCC’s Church Council.

“All I could think about yesterday with the snow and no electricity was that it wasn’t that cold, the outages were not long, and that nobody was bombing us,” said Katharine Preston, a member of the KVCC congregation. “My prayer, as always, is for the people of Ukraine.”

The response by residents of Keene and beyond has been remarkable. By Jan. 1, over 80 sleeping bags had been donated, with more coming in on Monday. In addition, church volunteers have filled several boxes with hats, gloves, long underwear, sweaters and the like.

“My friend likes helping people, and we know cold,” said Richard Mihill, delivering gear to the church. “And Ukraine’s a little cold right now. It’s a shame what those people are going through. Hopefully, the war will be over soon.”

Richard Mihill brings in donations for Ukraine. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

“I didn’t know who it’s going to, so I just said men’s large to the store clerk,” said Susan Early. “Putin’s out to destroy whoever and whatever he can. … Anything we can do for the Ukrainians helps, so we need to do whatever we can.”

Rana Swistak, manager of Eastern Mountain Sports in Lake Placid, was inspired to donate gloves by a couple asking for a large amount of cold-weather clothing to keep Ukrainians warm.

“When I think of Ukrainians living with little to no power, no heat, no running water, it makes us realize how lucky we are and where we live,” said Swistak. “There are many things we take for granted while Ukrainians struggle with everyday life. So, I think it’s important to help where we can.”

“What’s nice is that through working with the church, donations are going directly to the people that need it,” said Early, who, with her husband Ned, gave generously. “Before this, people in Ukraine were at coffee cafes, were going on about life just like here. And then they were being bombed, bombed everywhere. Unprovoked.”

“Sadly, the world can’t seem to do much about it,” said Ned. “To me, that’s the worst part. Putin’s doing what he wants up to nuclear weapons and devastating those people.”

Rana Swistak, manager of Eastern Mountain Sports in Lake Placid (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

“Are the Ukrainians going to need more things?” asked Susan. “If so, let us know. Even if peace were declared, they’d still need our help, and we’ll do what we can for as long as it takes. I like their spirit. You can do what you want to us, but we’re not leaving. This is our country.”

“This matters because we live in an environment that’s very cold, and it puts us in touch with people who are at risk every day,” said Rice. “It’s an important expression of love and concern for people going through unbelievable circumstances. Seeing people like the Earlys demonstrates that our community is incredible. If we express what the need is, they come out and give and donate in such a sacrificial way. We have people coming in who are not necessarily members of our church community but feel in touch with what’s going on here.”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about this,” said the Rev. Susie Allen. “This is a manifestation of the charge we are given at the end of worship every week, ‘to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.’ That humility, that desire to do the right thing, to be open-hearted, I feel like this is a visual manifestation of that. I think that saying that week after week helps us open our doors to these possibilities; that’s very moving. People’s generosity is overwhelming and humbling, especially as they ask if you need more, will you in the future. I feel like I am a witness to what a faith community can be and, may I say, should be.”

“To Ukrainian people, this donation of sleeping bags and winter gear from our region means that people of America care about them,” said Feld. “They always tell me to thank every American when I talk with them.”

“This donation of sleeping bags and other gear means a lot because we feel that we aren’t alone,” said Heraskevych. “It will be even colder in January, February and March; therefore, all these things will be beneficial. Even though your community is small, you are providing a lot of help. Thank you for your significant contribution to Ukraine’s future.”

While the church is no longer accepting sleeping bags, it is seeking financial contributions to cover the cost of generators and shipping. People may mail checks to KVCC, PO Box 27, Keene Valley 12943, with Ukraine in the memo line.

“We are all Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said in his New Year’s address to his country and all those who have supported Ukraine.

(Naj Wikoff lives in Keene Valley. He has been covering events for the News for more than 15 years.)