12/1 to 12/31 ST. NICHOLAS PROJECT UPDATE

Pippa, St. Nicholas Project Manager, is working to raise Christmas gifts for the displaced orphanages in the VM4U network. Pippa is supported by Filipp, Orphanage Coordinator; Roxy, Psychological Support Program Manager; Olga (The Feel Good Store), Cultural Adviser; Juliia, Webmaster; Jesse, Social Media Manager; Nathan, Van Program Manager; and many more volunteers. Filipp coordinated with the orphanages and Juliia listed the 164 presents requested by the individual children/caretakers on an Amazon.de gift registry. Pippa and Jesse used social media to bring donors to the Amazon gift registry. Ukrainian chocolates were donated by Adam and transported from Ukraine by Max, driver, on 12/4. Olga hosted two separate gift wrapping days at her apartment on 12/16 and 12/29. Gifts and chocolates were delivered to the Kogl Orphanage and Mureck Foster Home on 12/30 and 12/31, respectively, by volunteers from the US Embassy. A van mission will deliver the gifts to the Zhuravno Orphanage in Ukraine in January. The Burgenland orphanage has surplus gifts, which will also be transported by VM4U to the Save Ukraine organization in January. No VM4U cash donations were used for the St. Nicholas Project – all presents, chocolates, and clothing were material donations raised by VM4U with the support of Rotary Club Maria Theresa Vienna, US Embassy, and Vienna Family Network.

12/1 to 12/31 MEDICS SUPPORT PROGRAM UPDATE

Dymytro, the FAFH Ambulance donated to TacMed Ukraine, has unfortunately broken down for the 3rd time since arriving in eastern Ukraine. VM4U donations will be used to cover the cost of repairs.

12/1 to 12/31 TACMED UKRAINE AMBULANCE PROJECT

Michael and Bjorn, Co-Project Managers, are working to source, procure, and deliver an ambulance for TacMed Ukraine. The specifications provided by Simon, TacMed Ukraine Lead Medic, for an off-road capable ambulance have proven extremely difficult to meet. Efforts continue. The ambulance will be purchased using VM4U donations with support from Rotary Club Maria Theresa Chapter.

12/1 to 12/31 MUSIC PROGRAM UPDATE

Nadiia, Music Program Manager and Instructor, continues to return refugee children to their music training. The program has 5 instructors for 12 children, thanks to volunteer instructors Joel (Saxophone), Emin (Piano), Mariam (Piano), Nadiia (Violin, Elementary music), and Rosa (Guitar). The program needs a keyboard. The music program is a partnership with Kimu Wien (@kimu_wien),VIMAC and Domivka. VM4U donations are used for instrument maintenance, instrument rental, and instruction materials.

12/1 to 12/31 FURNISHINGS PROGRAM UPDATE

Nathan, Furnishings Program Manager, continues to work with Olga, The Feel Good Store, to transfer furniture and appliances directly from donors to refugees on a regular basis using the VM4U van and Nathan’s van. The furnishings team, better known as the VM4U Crew, includes Pasha, Artem, Arkady, Anatolii, Jake, Jesse, Coach Oleksandr, Adam, and others. VM4U donations are used for van fuel.

12/4, 12/11, 12/18 FOOTBALL PROGRAM TRAINING

Coach Oleksandr, Football Program Manager, and Coach Sergii continue to host football training for children ages 6-11 on Monday nights from 17:30-19:00 in cooperation with Domivka. For December, the training occurred at 3 different indoor facilities. Field rental is covered by Alex and VM4U donations.

12/6 HOSTEL HUTTLEDORF SUPPORT CASE

Adam, driver, using Michael vehicle, relocated Alla and her personal possessions from her previous apartment to Hostel Huttledorf (dormitory and refugee center operated by Volkshilfe). VM4U donations were used for vehicle fuel.

12/7, 12/14 ART PROGRAM

Juliia, Domivka Art Program Manager, hosted two Christmas themed arts and crafts workshops for Children at Domivka.  VM4U donations covered the cost of art supplies

12/8 VM4U VAN MISSION – LVIV

Andreas and Rupert, drivers, using the VM4U van, delivered generators raised by UkrAID Austria and European Federation of Christian Students Associations – Students for Ukraine organizations and donated to the Narodna Samooborna Lviv organization in Lviv.

12/11 NATALYA SUPPORT CASE

Natalya, translator, supported Natalya, patient, during a doctor’s appointment prior to having eye surgery.

12/14 HOSTEL HUTTELDORF SUPPORT CASE

Adam, driver, relocated Dima (post-surgery) and his personal belongings from Hostel Huttledorf to an apartment 1 hour outside of Vienna in Gemeide Bruck an der Leitha. Dima is a disabled veterain who previously served in Eastern Ukraine and joins his daughter here in Vienna.

12/18 DOMIVKA SUPPLY PROJECT

As part of the St. Nicholas Project, Pippa inventoried the urgent needs of children in the Team Vienna network. Domivka reported that specific children were lacking winter clothing. Gebhard and Pippa visited MA-48 and raised 30 coats, 12 pairs gloves, 15 hats, and 6 pairs shoes. Nathan and Adam delivered these items to Domivka on 12/18. No VM4U donations were used; all materials were sponsored by Gebhard.