Greetings for the New Year and a Review of the Old Year
Dear members, friends and supporters,
The year 2024 also presented us with many challenges.
Without your help and support we would not have been able to achieve many things or would have only been able to achieve them to a very limited extent.
We were able to bring 5 large convoys plus 4 truck loads to Ukraine during this time.
We were able to hand over many important vehicles to the army and aid organizations:
1x three-way tipper
1x Unimog
1x trailer for car transport
4x pickups
2x ambulance
1x 14t truck
2x Sprinter
4x motorcycles (new)
1x minibus
3x cars
1x 4-stretcher ambulance
2x ambulances
4x public bus
1x 4x4 Vito
2x Quad
1x trailer
A total of 31 vehicles were able to be transported thanks to the donations. Each of the vehicles plus the 4 truckloads (40t trucks) were packed to the brim with additional relief supplies. In total, over 500 fire extinguishers, around 1,000 first aid kits and various medical devices and hospital supplies were transported.
The December convoy was, as always, something special. This time we brought over 400 gifts for children in Dmytrievka. We were able to put a smile on a child's face 400 times in these difficult times.
And when you hear from a 5-year-old , “Thank you for giving me something – my father is at the front and I see him so rarely,” then you know what it meant to the children.
The latest project was initiated with Convoy 37. Thanks to a donation, we were able to take a catering kitchen to Kharkiv.
This will be set up in January and will then provide meals to internally displaced persons and soldiers.
Many members have become sponsors of this kitchen, for which we would like to say a special thank you.
We will be able to produce 500-1000 portions per day. About 50% of the food will come from the local population and 50% from us. The employees are all volunteers from Kharkiv and the surrounding area.
The biggest event this year took place at the end of November.
Thanks to our member and head of Ukraine Hilfe Sieglar, our Winni, we had the opportunity to help clear out the old Waldhotel in Siegburg. Lots of helpers (over 40) really got stuck in over 3 days. The result is impressive, here are some examples of what we received and where it went:
- approx. 120 beds including mattresses -> Ukraine via the Blue-Yellow Cross and our Convoy 38
- 60 small refrigerators -> Shelters in the Rhein Sieg district
- Crockery in large quantities -> Hospice in Hennef, shelters and to Ukraine
- Glasses in large quantities -> Hospiz Hennef
- Hotel textiles -> depending on the condition to Ukraine, shelters and partly to the Troisdorf animal shelter
- Wet room equipment -> DLRG Sankt Augustin for the hopefully soon new station
- Tables and chairs -> St. Antonius Schützenbruderschaft 1926 Niederpleis eV .
It was important to us that as many local and regional clubs as possible could be supported.
Our ambulance also continues to regularly visit shelters to offer medical assistance. Over the course of the year, we have optimised the vehicle somewhat. Thanks to the voluntary work of a doctor, we can now do a little more on site.
Supported by the great support and the many hard-working helpers, we are looking forward to 2025 with great confidence.
Together with you, dear helpers, members, donors and friends, we will certainly be able to help many people in need in 2025.
A review in pictures:
... is that the way, or what plan are we on right now?
Many preparations
A lot of packing and loading took place.
drivers of the convoys
farewells
There were many farewells in Sankt Augustin and of course also in Ukraine.
The vehicles
Given the large number of vehicles that were transferred to Ukraine, it would not be surprising if one or two vehicles were missing here.
bankruptcies, bad luck and mishaps
Our convoy companions had to be skilled in their trade and athletic.
Whether plastering on a bus or lying under vehicles, each convoy was a sporting event. But - after all, these were not new vehicles that were transported. Thanks to our all-purpose weapon "Dirk", (almost) all of the vehicles arrived in Ukraine.
The border
Waiting at the border and all the paperwork were nerve-wracking.
Thanks to patient people, it always worked.
Help that arrives
The fact that the aid has arrived has been documented time and again by the German and Ukrainian sides. All donors should see that the donations are going where they are needed.
Even the animals were thought of. The donated animal feed was received with joy (as we hear).
Happy faces and shining eyes ...
... happened again and again.
Celebrate as they fall
When you accompany convoys so often, it can happen that you have to celebrate a birthday in Ukraine or Poland. The film shows one of Gunther's birthdays.
Jutta celebrated her birthday in 2023 in Ukraine and her birthday in 2024 in Poland.
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