The war in Ukraine continues, the bombings are ruthless, children are witness to atrocities, yet our attention wanes. At Mitchell, Stankovic we are committed to keeping the story personal so American credit unions can feel the realities of war through the eyes of their Polish / Ukrainian colleagues. At the Underground in Las Vegas, we auctioned children’s drawings to show how kids are the same everywhere. Now, direct from Ukraine we learn that the cold of winter without power, no lights or heat and the despairing news that there is no hope of the systems being back on line anytime soon. As we experience an unprecedented cold front in the United States, it becomes unthinkable to imagine what it must be like in Ukraine so we reached out to learn more.

As we approach the New Year and sit by our fireplaces, Brian Branch connected with friends and colleagues in Ukraine to ask about the energy situation. “You say ‘Winter is coming’” and his friend grimaced, reflecting sardonically; “Winter is here.” Brian elaborates…

Russia has targeted the energy infrastructure since their latest round of battlefield losses of September and October. In Lviv we had driven by the power station on the outskirts of the city: now a skeleton of twisted and broken metal and burned wreckage. Reports suggest that over 50% of Ukraine’s energy systems have been damaged and much of Ukraine’s power generation capacity is offline. Ukraine energy workers have responded by working around the clock to do repairs and get bombed systems operating again within 2-3 days. Electrical system administrators execute rolling blackouts and emergency brownouts to stabilize the electrical grid. Sadly ironic, one of the reasons that the grid has persisted is reduced demand. The Russian invaders still occupy 20% of Ukrainian land and has disconnected those territories from the grid. Seven million people have fled from Ukraine. Businesses have shut down. 

Yet for those remaining in Ukraine, electrical and gas shortages deprive the civilian population of heating, water and light. Those who returned to Ukraine to rebuild their homes now face the lack of power and many are forced to leave again. Some with their own homes have turned to burning wood for heating and candles for light. A small few have generators and are inviting family and neighbors in for warmth and light on Christmas and New Year’s eve. For those in urban apartments, there are fewer options; they rely on the intermittent and uncertain municipal gas systems for power and heating.  Many local communities have established heating points, powered by a single generator, in a school, municipal building, a local home or even a tent. Here people can warm up, get warm food, charge their cell phone or sleep.

These are the generators which Rafal Matusiak and his colleagues in Poland are acquiring and sending to Ukraine … for hospitals, for schools and to establish heating points.  The cost of generators averages about $1,500. Via Stella has sent 21 generators to Ukraine so far, certainly small in the scale of the need, but life-saving for those receiving. Winter is here.

“I feel for those heading into the winter with no power! Susan shared with us the need for generators,” stated Jeff Yonemura, Board Chair of Kinecta Federal Credit Union. “Our entire Board has pulled together $50,000 that we donated and wired to Via Stella yesterday. We would like it directed to purchase generators. The money is one thing, but is there a sufficient supply of generators?! If they are in short supply, please let us know how to help you with the acquisition.”  

“Thanks Jeff,” replied Brian. “While it has become more difficult to find them at affordable prices recently in Poland. Poland is part of the European market and our Polish colleagues are also able to acquire them from elsewhere in the EU and ship them through Poland to Ukraine. I am humbled by your generosity.”

When Rafal Matusiak received the news, he stated, “I don't know what to say so wonderful and momentous is this decision. It is an expression not only of great generosity, but also of extraordinary sensitivity to human dramas and needs. I thank you with all my heart and congratulate you for working among such wonderful and sensitive people. I am touched. I wish you a good and peaceful 2023.”

‘The mission of people, helping people is one of profound importance to me this year,’ noted Susan Mitchell. ‘Our global community connects us, inspires us to better understand the meaning of belonging and brings out the best of humankind. There is no need to explain relevancy or modernize the mission, if credit union people all join hands and hearts to create a better life for those they serve. And reach out to support credit unions around the world who share this commitment.’