KENTUCKY (WFIE) – It’s Christmas in July in parts of Kentucky.
Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear spent Monday in Bremen and Dawson Springs to bring Christmas cheer to those affected by the December tornadoes.
At least 100,000 toys, thousands of shoes, and gift cards were donated in December from the First Lady’s Christmas Toy Drive.
Monday, another portion of those items were given to those families.
With a visit from Santa Claus, food, and gifts, the Christmas in July event brought smiles to many Western Kentucky families.
”We think if we can stack up at least one good day after another, hopefully create so many good memories that will help them process that difficult night. And with the complexity and time it takes to rebuild, just a fun day with ice cream and funnel cakes for each of these kids, maybe a few gifts too,” said Gov. Beshear.
The Governor and First Lady say because of everyone’s generosity and donations, they were able to have Christmas celebrations back in December, but it’s even more exciting to also have a Christmas in July.
Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said his family is still dealing with the repercussions of a carjacking that happened in January and said recent criticism against him for what happened that night is not fair.
“It was horrifying for me to receive a call from your daughter crying that her car was just taken from her when she was standing right next to it,” Glotz said.
No one was hurt and the car was recovered a few days later in Calumet City.
But Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones questioned why Glotz drove with a baseball bat in his truck and two members of the Tinley Park Police Department to Calumet City the night the car was stolen.
“It was a blatant abuse of power and this should be investigated by the state police to make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” Jones said.
According to Glotz, he contacted Tinley Park dispatch and gave his name and said his daughter’s car was stolen.
“I never referenced myself as mayor in any of my phone calls,” Glotz said.
Glotz said the automaker notified them where the car was located and that a police communication network spread the word about the stolen car.
He said he carries a bat in his vehicle because he plays sports.
“I wasn’t going there to confront the people that stole the car from my daughter,” Glotz said. “I was going there to give my daughter’s spare car keys to the police officers so that they could look for it.”
Glotz takes issue with the criticism and calls it political.
“I’m shocked to hear now him having three months later a totally different story than what happened,” Glotz said. “So it’s unfortunate.”
Tinley Park is hosting a carjacking safety seminar Thursday evening in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. It’s a chance for attendees to learn tips on how to avoid being a victim and to learn about vehicle trackers.
“I hope that we can inform people and give them more tools that they didn’t have to make sure that they’re safe,” Glotz said.
The University of Manitoba has pledged up to $1,000,000 to its Emergency Bursary Fund to provide robust financial support to students in financial distress as a result of the war in Ukraine, international conflicts, environmental catastrophes and extraordinary life events.
Manitoba is home to one of the largest populations of Ukraine diaspora in Canada and we take our obligation to address this crisis seriously. We recognize that war and geopolitical events can impact our international students, and that domestic students can similarly experience emergencies that impact their finances and create unexpected need.
Students lose access to funds for various reasons, and this emergency support will help students pay for the full cost of their tuition, residence, and other living expenses as required. These funds are available to those in need right now.
The university is prioritizing funds toward this immediate need and I want to thank our university community, including our alumni and donors, who continue to step up to meet the increased demand for emergency student supports such the UM Student Food Bank.
The university is committed to ensuring we offer meaningful, targeted support to students whose lives are upended by conflict or natural disaster here or abroad. Students come to UM to pursue an education and though we cannot alleviate all of their burdens, we can offer emergency aid that will allow them to focus on their studies.
UM is grateful to have many international students and employees from Ukraine who make rich contributions to our province and university community. Our thoughts are with you, and with all your family and friends who deserve peace, liberty and good governance.
Members of the Ukrainian community in London, Ont., and several international students from Ukraine are expected to share their stories Sunday afternoon as part of an event aimed at raising funds to support the Canadian Red Cross and those impacted by Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine.
The London Multicultural Community Association (LMCA) is spearheading the initiative, in partnership with several other local groups including the London branch of the London Ukrainian Congress, the London Ukrainian Centre and the Polish Combatants Association.
The event, set to run from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Polish Combatants’ Hall at 80 Ann St., just southwest of Oxford and Talbot streets, comes just over a month since Russia invaded Ukraine.
A poster for Sunday’s event.
London Multicultural Community Association
In that time, more than 10 million people have had to flee their homes, including some 3.7 million who have fled the country according to the United Nations. Another 6.5 million have been displaced within Ukraine.
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At least 1,081 civilians have been killed during the war and 1,707 have been injured, the UN says, noting actual figures are believed to be “considerably higher” due to reporting and confirmation delays.
“Many of them have friends and families in Ukraine, so they are updated on a daily, sometimes hourly basis,” said LMCA President Jack Malkin, referring to members of the local Ukrainian community who will be in attendance.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to learn firsthand what they are experiencing. Usually, in times of crisis or catastrophe, we look at the big numbers and we kind of move on, but when we hear personal stories, it’s easier for us to relate and actually educate ourselves about what’s really going on there.”
All donations collected during the event will go to support the Canadian Red Cross and its ongoing Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal campaign. The Canadian Red Cross says donations allow it and Red Crescent Movement to “respond to humanitarian needs in Ukraine and surrounding countries.”
Of the more than $82 million the Canadian Red Cross says it has contributed to the international Red Cross so far as part of its Ukraine campaign, two-thirds is going to support people in Ukraine, while one-third is going to help those displaced in surrounding countries.
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Ukraine’s cities devastated, Russia’s forces seemingly stalled 1 month into war
Ukraine’s cities devastated, Russia’s forces seemingly stalled 1 month into war
Malkin says someone from the Red Cross is expected to be on hand for the event, as well as some 10 to 20 people who are members of the local Ukrainian community or international students from Ukraine.
The event will also feature a display of Ukrainian arts and culture, along with dancing by members of the London Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble.
“It will be an informal event – not (one) that people will stand in front of the audience and speak – people can interact with them directly and ask questions and share experiences and so on,” he said.
“We can’t even imagine how difficult it (would) be if houses around you (were) being destroyed or there’s a lack of food or health-care services. It’s really horrible to sit here and to be spectators to one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, probably since World War Two.”
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With no immediate end in sight to the ongoing conflict, Malkin says it’s possible that a future fundraiser may be held with a focus on local international students from Ukraine who may now find themselves with limited means.
“Their parents may not be able to send funds anymore. They may not be able to go back to Ukraine, so they will need some resources to be able to stay here… Perhaps when Ukrainian refugees come to London, we may be able to help them as well.”
Those unable to attend Sunday’s event can donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal campaign through LMCA via the Canadian Red Cross website.
Donations can also be made through the London Ukrainian Centre by phone at 519-686-9811, or by email e-transfer at info@londonukrainiancentre.ca.
It’s not the only event taking place in the city where Londoners can show their support for the Ukrainian people.
More than $30,000 was raised Thursday night for the Red Cross as part of a two-night benefit concert at London’s Aeolian Hall featuring 23 musicians and two choirs of around 57 people.
The benefit concert ends Friday night.
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— with files from Sawyer Bogdan and the Associated Press
