New Warehouse Needed for Oxford County Helps Ukraine

Monday, 7 November 2022 07:20

By Marcie Culbert

The Oxford County Helps Ukraine warehouse has helped 50 Ukrainian families over the past seven months, providing them with everything they need free of cost.

WOODSTOCK - The Oxford County Helps Ukraine Facebook group is in need of a warehouse.

The group has been utilizing a warehouse at 225 Main Street in Woodstock, in order to provide Ukrainian families with everything they need for free, if they book an appointment.

Irene Tiegs is the manager of this facility. She says it all began back in March, when the Ukrainian flag was raised outside of Woodstock City Hall. Donations of new clothes, non-perishable food items, and medical supplies were being accepted in order to send to Ukraine, but they still had 480 bags filled with used clothes and other items that they couldn't send to Ukraine when all was said and done. Tiegs says that's when they decided to open the warehouse in order to help the Ukrainians that have relocated to Oxford County.

"Over the course of the last seven months, we have helped over 50 Ukrainian families. They come in and they get hygiene products, clothing, toys for their children and we also offered backpacks and school supplies."

Due to insurance reasons outside of their landlord's control, the group now has to find a new location to house this facility. Tiegs says they need to be out of this facility as soon as possible, or all of the items will have to be moved into storage.

She explains what they're looking for in terms of their next location.

"We have over 1,200 square feet now and we would like as big as people are willing to offer us. We can squish our items into a smaller space, but we're probably occupying about 1,200 square feet right now."

If they are unable to find a new warehouse, Tiegs says all of the items will be donated or given away to others in need. If you have a warehouse that you're willing to donate please contact the Oxford County Helps Ukraine Facebook group .

David Murray is the administrator of this Facebook group. He's aware of 50 Ukrainian families that have relocated to Oxford over the past few months, and he knows there's more on the way.

"We are finding out that there are more people coming. We know that there will be more people coming due to the current situation in Ukraine with the colder weather coming. It's kind of a desperate need for people to host and even people who have hosted are hosting again. Some people just want to take a break from hosting and want to help out other ways as well."

Those interested in becoming a host or helping in other ways can also reach out to the Oxford County Helps Ukraine Facebook group for more details.