(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Relief supplies for Ukrainian refugees are on their way to Poland after taking off Tuesday morning from Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove.
Peter Limberger, CEO of the parent company of Revv Aviation, which donated the flight, grew up in post-World War II Germany. He said he was glad to provide the use of a plane and two-man flight crew to fly the relief supplies to New York, the first leg of their journey.
“As a kid, a young kid, I still remember CARE packages which we received in our little village from the American people, families who we did not know,” he told WBBM Newsradio.
A flight like the one he’s donating costs about $30,000, about half of that covering the cost of fuel, he said.
“We do what we do with our means with our possibilities. We try to help,” said Limberger, who became an American citizen four months ago in his 70s.
Twenty-seven duffel bags will be flown to Poland along with Crisis Relief International worker Rene Koehler, who got people to donate items needed by Ukrainian refugees.
“I think it’s so amazing. Of all the grief and heartache that we’ve all watched roll out on the news this is what we can do. This is what people can do,” she said.
She added: “Volunteers have come to help me pack and inventory. It’s beautiful. It’s a love language and I’m sure the Ukrainians will feel this.”
Kim Johnson is among many people who donated everything from diapers and medical supplies to solar blankets and children’s clothes.
“I think it’s really great. I feel so helpless and powerless to do anything in the Ukraine situation, so this is a tiny little way to help out.”
Meanwhile, Rene Koehler said she hopes to work with refugees at the border between Poland and Ukraine.
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