BERLIN, CONN.(WTIC Radio)-Berlin resident Anna Kobylarz has garnered the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Freedom for her constant
humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and Poland. She immigrated from Poland 25 years ago and later this week makes her twelfth visit to Ukraine.
Kobylarz has established the organization in Connecticut called My Community Help. She's hoping to raise funds as the City of Goodness in Ukraine builds a professional rehabilitation center, catering to the physical and psychological needs of children traumatized by the war. The City of Goodness is the name of the non-profit. Kobylarz has also raised money for orphanages, particularly buying generators for the area.
All of her efforts are volunteer. "It's very hard for me to talk about it because some things will haunt me forever...The first experience was an airstrike alarm, in a bomb shelter for a week and a half. We were sitting with little kids. And I was thinking what's going to happen now."
The Ellis Island Medal of Freedom recognizes patriotism, diversity and the contributions of immigrants. It has been bestowed on several prominent people including seven U.S. Presidents and several Nobel Laureates.
