The Marine Corps League Department of Indiana is endeavoring to send toys to displaced refugee children from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Through a gracious gift of Grand Design in Elkhart, a 40′ international shipping container will be sent to the country of Estonia which has welcomed over 45,000 Ukrainian refugees of which roughly two thirds are children. There are also additional opportunities to help refugee children in Latvia.
Two members of the Elkhart Area Marines, Detachment 1397 of the Marine Corps League will travel to Estonia to distribute the toys. They will be working with local representatives of Oleviste Kirik (St. Olaf’s Church) in Tallinn, Estonia. Relief agencies are focused on clothing, food, etc. They just have no avenue to consider the simple necessity to let kids be kids.
The container is currently just over half full. A 2 week delay on shipping provides an open door for additional toys to be shipped. Contributions must be received by the end of July to order toys from a wholesaler.
Those who wish to contribute can use the special “Donate Here” button on the front page of the Department of Indiana website: https://mcldeptofindiana.org/.
Questions or inquiries can be directed to:
Kelly Gillihan Scott Comfort Brad Ulick
Commandant Jr. Vice Commandant District Vice Commandant
Marine Corps League
Department of Indiana
(765)507-0574 (765)437-1092 (574) 849-8622