The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has displaced nearly three million refugees, resulting in mass emigration to nearby countries such as Poland, Hungary and Belarus. While many western powers have imposed economic sanctions on Russia with the hope of crippling its economy, violence has continued. 

The majority of the western population watches updates of the war via smartphones and the television, and it is only natural for us to want to help. Well-known and certifiable establishments such as UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) and World Central Kitchen currently offer ways that the general public can participate in acts of compassion and generosity towards the Ukrainian people. 

The Oak Park Unified School District has also decided to play its part in aid to Ukraine. From now until the end of the school day on Monday, Mar. 21, the District Office will be accepting new and unused donations that will be dropped off at a collection center in LA from where these items will be sent directly to Ukrainian refugee camps. 

In a StudentSquare post, each of the eight schools in the district set up collection boxes outside of their school offices with a specific type of donation item – or items – needed. Students can either drop off their donations at these schools or at the District Office itself.

Once the donation drive is over, the student council at each school will sort, box, and label the items. 

“These boxed items will be picked up from each school site by the District Office staff on Tuesday, March 22nd,” District Communications Coordinator Ragini Aggarwal said. “The District Office will then drop them off at the collection warehouse in Glendale, and from there, they will be delivered to the refugee camps.”