NEW YORK – The New York Jets organization on Tuesday announced plans to donate US$1 million to help the people of Ukraine who have been suffering the horrors of war since the Vladimir regime invaded the country. Putin.
These donations will be divided among several supporting organizations that will each receive $100,000 over the next year.
“I wanted to do my part to help and to bring awareness to the situation because this is a problem that is not going away,” said Suzanne Johnson, wife of Jets owner Woody Johnson.
Ms Johnson can’t stop thinking about her late parents when she sees the heartbreaking images of the news from Ukraine. She is desperate to help those people who could be hers.
His mother, Marie, was born to Ukrainian immigrant parents while his father, Stefan Ircha, was born in Ternopil – a town very close to Kyiv. He himself emigrated to the United States at the age of 21.
“My mother died ten years ago and my father two years ago. He must be rolling in his grave right now,” Johnson commented in an interview with theAssociated Press.
“It would have killed him. It’s just unbelievable and that’s really the only word I think of when I watch what’s happening today.”
“They destroyed the country and it’s going to take years to rebuild it and it’s so insane that I lose my words. It breaks my heart,” she continued.
Suzanne Johnson was born in the United States, but grew up in a Ukrainian neighborhood in New York. She has supported various Ukrainian organizations over the years and used her contacts to organize how she and her husband would do their part.
“Money, they will need it for a long time to rebuild and to help people. He will be here. So, I only hope that we will be able to start something that will continue. The world has been very generous and I hope it will continue like this. »
The first organization to receive a donation from the Jets is called Plast Scouting USA. It is an organization founded in 1911 in Ukraine to meet urgent needs in the country such as the distribution of first aid kits and medical equipment.
“We wanted to identify organizations that have people on the ground and who know how to distribute the goods efficiently,” explained Ms. Johnson.
In addition to the financial aid, the Jets have issued an invitation to their staff to provide medical equipment which will be sent to Ukraine. The team will double the donations received in equipment to directly help the victims of the Russian invasion and their families.
In a press release, Woody Johnson stressed that these donations will have a positive impact on the situation of Ukrainian refugees and their families who need essential goods.
“The need for resources is always growing. Our thoughts are with those innocent people whose lives have been turned upside down and with all those who are suffering,” it read.
Several other sports organizations and personalities have made contributions in support of the Ukrainian people in recent months.
FIFA donated $1 million in humanitarian aid. Tennis star Roger Federer has donated US$500,000 to help Ukrainian students continue their education. The grand slam tournaments and tennis federations jointly donated US$700,000 in humanitarian aid. In the NFL, Washington Commanders owners Tanya and Dan Snyder donated $300,000.
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