Common Man for Ukraine travels to bring supplies and hope

PLYMOUTH — Volunteer leaders from Common Man for Ukraine crossed from Poland into Ukraine on Saturday, March 19, carrying food, clothing, and generators bound for thousands of innocent Ukrainians living in villages near the front lines of the war-torn country. 

The mission marks the 15th humanitarian convoy for the New Hampshire-based nonprofit’s four American co-founders since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Volunteers from Common Man for Ukraine and the Zamosc Ordynacky Rotary Club of Poland have combined for more than 50 humanitarian convoys overall, with this week’s effort bringing more than 50,000 pounds of food and supplies to eight frontline villages, child-safe houses, and orphanages. 

Since 2022, Common Man for Ukraine’s convoys have delivered more than four million pounds of food, 10,000 sleeping bags, and hundreds of generators. 

The nonprofit expanded an existing Rotary program that provides residential trauma retreats to children of Ukrainian soldiers killed or missing in the war. The Children of Ukraine Health Retreat is a monthly, three-week program based in Zakopane, Poland. With the nonprofit’s help, more than 1,400 Ukrainian children have participated in the program. The co-founders visited with the children attending the March session before leading the supply convoy into Ukraine. 

Common Man for Ukraine’s leaders flew home to Boston’s Logan International Airport on March 30. Common Man for Ukraine’s programs are funded entirely by donations.

Visit commonmanforukraine.org to learn more.