Bringing Aid to Ukraine Refugees

Dear all, thank you so much for your support on our initial campaign for Vienna Mission for Ukraine. We are in the middle of many new projects to bring immediate aid to our friends on the border. Stay tuned and an updated report will be posted on all the activities we have been able to complete through your support.

Good afternoon all, it is another busy day in the mission for our brethren making it across the border. Our mission is to get as many people off the border as possible and into a more peaceful and safe environment. The people are beginning to pour in and the housing solutions here in Vienna are becoming more and more strained. But we will press on! In the next days, because of your support, we are trying to push through with a much larger mode of transportation. Stay tuned and keep sharing and supporting!

Dear all, reporting on trip #11 and #12. Lots happening here. We've hit some bumps along the way, but we have not missed a day in transporting goods and trying to bring back as many refugees from the border as possible.

On trip #11, medical supplies were brought to Przemysl. And refugees were picked up by a single van. It was one family that the ride was given to: Mother and three children. The single van could not bring any more refugees because it was full. The family was housed upon return to Vienna and will be registered with the Austrian authority as soon as possible.

On trip #12, supplies were brough to Korczowa with success. But the pre-arranged pickups did not go as planned as some did not make it over the boarder on time and the others ended up at different refugee centers. More refugees were picked up, including an elderly couple that were wanting stay for the night in Vienna to continue on.

Today is trip #13, more details to follow tomorrow!

Trip #10 finished yesterday morning. Three vans went out from Vienna.

First and second van went to Przemsyl Refugee Shelter to resupply. Done. Much thanks to the local fire department for helping us unload (see pic)!

The third van was filled with four Ukrainian nationals working in Vienna that were trying to establish contact with the management at the shelters in order to establish busses between the shelter and VM4U in Vienna. No managers could be found at the shelter.

A group from the UK, headed by Fynn and Jono, have been collaborating with VM4U since the beginning arrived in Przemsyl to bring medical supplies from the UK.

The three vans from Vienna returned early morning with 14 refugees (all women and children). All were welcomed by warm homes and beds in Vienna, Austria.

One elderly gentleman wanted to ride back in one of the vans but he had to retrieve his disabled son (23 years old) in L'viv. They are expected to be in Przemsyl tonight. We hope they can get a ride back with the next team that left this morning.

Lots of new growth expected to happen with VM4U. News to come as it developes! Keep caring and keep sharing.

Whatever it is you're doing. Send good vibes/thoughts/prayers towards the team that is heading back right now. It's a decent drive from Poland to Vienna. Vans are full coming back as well! Also, please know that the organization's name has changed from Let's Roll Mission to Vienna Mission for Ukraine. Care and Share!

Trip #9 finished this morning. High priority prescription medication and much needed baby and hygiene supplies were delivered to the Przemysl refguee camp close to the Polish/Ukraine border. The team brought back 14 people! How? A family of 6 with dog in one van, another van with mother and child, and 2 disabled children with a helper. And a family who was living in their car scared to drive anywhere. We escorted them convoy style and they were all very greatfull!! One family was dropped off in Brno to relatives, others in Vienna for further travels to Munich, and the car family is enjoying a warm shower and hospitality until they figure out what to do next.

Trip #8 just finished. A team of four just arrived in Vienna. Tired - physically, mentally, emotionally. But it is nothing compared to what the refugees are going through. The center on the border is getting a lot more organized, but there are still hundreds pouring in. If you can see in the picture posted, there are colorings made by kids to pass the time and distract them from their current situation. As a parent, it's heart wrenching to see all the children. We were able to drop off the donated supplies from St. Barbara's Ukrainian Church in Vienna, and we were able to transport 12 refugees (women and children) back to Vienna safely. We found housing for them and they are now secure for the time being. Thank you again for all the support. You are in this daily mission with us. You are making this possible.

Update #3 - Turn and burn. We drive out, no rest, and we come back. It's tiring, but efficient for now; and we'll keep doing it till this ends. Last night was trip number 6. Adam and another teammate drove a van filled with medical supplies to the Korczowa, Poland border crossing. They did a prearranged pickup of a mother and child, and a family of three. Refugees have been reporting waiting in line for over 24 hours in subzero temperature. The team passed a flipped over aid van, most likely due to the icy road conditions. In the town of Przemysl, Poland, the team discovered a large shelter full of refugees with no other destination.

Adam and another team of drivers had a cancellation of a van. That was tough. But we were able to secure another one by going to the VIE Airport. It delayed the trip this morning. But it's all good. We're on the road again, headed to Medyka, Poland with supplies; and to bring more refugees back to Vienna by tomorrow morning. Thanks again for the support!

We're going on Day 4 of the mission. Lot's of driving. Lot's of supplies. More and more women, children and elderly are gathering at the borders. Some are waiting up to 10 hours in line to get over.