Hilton Head Reporter

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 15, 2022) –  The City of Beaufort, which began a Pride of Place Ukraine relief program in March, has raised $135,525 to help the City of Ostroh, Ukraine.

We want to thank the following donors:

• Anonymous donation through Schwab Charitable: $50,000
• Thibault Gallery: $43,000 through the sales of pins and pendants designed by glass artist Greg Rawls (see photo)
• Various individual donations: $32,466
• Habersham Community Garden: $5,305
• Sea Island Quilters: $2,279, raffled off handmade “Hearts for Ukraine” quilt
• Hometown Realty: $1,000
• McGuire family: $600, sold handmade Ukrainian-themed jewelry
• Waterfront Place Properties: $500
• Saturday AM Breakfast Club: $300
• Polawana Puppy LLC: $75

“We are so grateful for the generosity of all our donors, and especially for so many people in our City for stepping up to help Ukraine,” Murray said. “We never expected that our campaign would grow the way it did, and we appreciate all who took this to heart.”

The City closed the campaign at the end of July.

Mayor Stephen Murray kicked off this campaign last March, after Russia invaded Ukraine, by reaching out Yurii Yahodka, the mayor of Ostroh, and asking how Beaufort could help. At the time, Mayor Murray was looking for a city similar in size to Beaufort. Ostroh, a city in western Ukraine, is somewhat bigger than Beaufort, and, like Beaufort, has a rich history.

The City established the Pride of Place fund for Ukraine, and has transferred funds at various times to a special account set up by Ostroh. Ostroh, which has so far escaped any hits by Russia, has used the funds to help provide resources and services to refugees coming from other parts of the country under attack by Russia. “I’m told they are using the money to feed refugees and build shelters,” Murray said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Murray also worked to get food to Ukraine, including MREs, grits and cornmeal.  With the help of Councilman Mitch Mitchell, Mayor Murray reached out to South Carolina companies Marsh Hen Mill and SOPAKO, which supplied 100,000 meals-ready-to-eat and the cornmeal. He and Mitchell coordinated with Total Quality Logistics and World of Connections to bring the supplies to Ukraine. Murray estimated the in-kind value of these contributions at $600,000.

The City of Beaufort also established an official partner relationship with the City of Ostroh. 

“It’s my hope, after the war ends, that our relationship with Ostroh will lead to visits between our two cities, that over time we will get to know each other and appreciate each other even more,” Murray said.

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Original source can be found here.