A Hull Prairie Intermediate social studies teacher left for Poland last Friday to help where he can with the Ukrainian relief effort.

Ukraine has been under siege from Russia as of February 24.

Bill Hilt, president of the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio, organized two projects to let the people of Ukraine know they are not forgotten.

“One project is like the Candy Bomber after WWII who flew over Germany dropping parachutes of candy to kids,” Mr. Hilt said. “Children here made cards for Ukrainian children, with one side decorated with the Ukrainian and Polish flags and the other with messages in Ukrainian. We have about 1,000 messages.”

Mr. Hilt was able to raise $2,500 in 24 hours from Perrysburg residents and others in his network.

“I also have someone in Hungary creating cards for Hungarians, too.”

The second project involved selling T-shirts to help fund a digital toolbox for teachers and workers to be trained on trauma informed teaching practices.

“The teachers I work with are interested in improved ways of doing things. In many countries, curriculum comes from the central government so it’s harder to work with. Research shows social-emotional learning helps students.”

When Mr. Hilt returns, the Messenger Journal will interview him for a story about his trip.

–Kate Oatis