‘Power Up Ukraine’ Efforts Continue as War Escalates
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Editor’s note: The following article was written by Rosemary Fox, Public Image Chair, Rotary Club of Swarthmore.
Rotarians Leslie Shur and Christina Spolsky from the Chestnut Hill club spoke about the Power Up Ukraine initiative. This is in response to waves of Russian air strikes on critical infrastructure that have seriously damaged Ukraine's power grid and led to emergency and planned outages across the country. Ukraine faces an extreme challenge to providing reliable and consistent electric power to citizens, especially amid a bitterly cold winter.
Although the war began when Russia invaded in 2022, Russia has lately increased its attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure. Frontline hospitals, ICU's, recovery centers, blood storage units, and labs are under daily duress. This campaign aims to provide power to critical facilities like hospitals, field clinics and humanitarian hubs in Ukraine by providing portable power generators. Continuous electricity is essential in keeping patients alive who are on ventilators, performing surgeries, and keeping blood and lab supplies in usable condition.
Four Rotary clubs in our district—Chestnut Hill, Jenkintown, Lower Main Line, Philadelphia—are working together to Power Up Ukraine. All contributions will be used to purchase portable generators to provide backup power for critical medical equipment. Donations are routed through the Philadelphia clubs’ foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
These units are portable and can be charged relatively quickly via solar power or a connection to the grid or a diesel generator. This is in contrast to large fixed generators which cannot be used indoors and use scarce fuel. Even worse, the noise and heat from large outside generators attract drone strikes.
So far, the initiative has provided five portable generators in the eastern part of Ukraine, with Kharkiv being the center of the project. Other Rotary clubs have similar projects benefiting other parts of Ukraine. The Ukraine project touches many Rotary priorities. Local Rotarians determine where the need is greatest. It also fits the Rotary philosophy – find one thing you can do and do it. You don’t have to solve everything all at once.
Power Up Ukraine has set a goal of $80,000 to acquire more generators. So far they have raised $22,000. Please go to Power Up Ukraine — Rotary District 7450 SE Pennsylvania if you’d like to contribute.