Our program for the day was about the Ukraine and presented by Olya Weekley. Olya and her mother moved from the Ukraine to the Oro Valley area in 2007, when Olya was 13 years old. Since then she has obtained a degree from the university of Arizona in Wildlife Conservation, has completed additional studies and training in geographic information system (GIS) mapping and data. She works for the Tucson Audubon Society, and is now married to a guy originally from Iowa. The point was made because the agricultural areas of the Ukraine and Iowa look very similar.
The first part of her presentation covered the geography, history, cultural heritage and political evolution of the Ukraine. Additionally, Olya shared the development of the current situation in the Ukraine and how it effects the non-combatants, especially the lack of food, medicines, water, electricity, and personal security.
Olya then went on to share the story of a personal effect of the current strife in the Ukraine. Her older brother had already started his own household when Olya and her mother came in 2007. During that time he had relocated to Poland, because of greater employment opportunities, his wife eventually joined him there. Their 13 year-old daughter remained behind, staying with her other grandmother in the southeastern part of the country. This was in an area occupied by Russian forces since February 24, 2022. Olya’s brother wanted to return and relocate his daughter to Poland. However, if he had returned he would have been unable to leave, because any males under age 60 cannot leave – military service. In April the girl’s grandfather, aged 61, arranged for a driver to take the two to Odessa to board a train so Olya’s niece could join her parents in Poland. After periods of no contact and delays in travel the family was reunited.
In late April the US enacted the Uniting for Ukraine program, which provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens to come to the US. This was a blessing in many ways, including elimination the “green card” process which the brother had been in queue for 12 years. They are living here in Oro Valley with his mother. The brother is working part-time in a warehouse and looking for full-time. Government and social service agencies are providing some support. Meanwhile, the new residents are studying to become more fluent in English, learning to drive, and working to establish a new home here in the area.
A GoFundMe page was established to originally support the relocation and continued financial help is needed. The link for that page is
https://gofund.me/01548208
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inducting a new member. Bonnie Rolstad, is transferring her membership to the Oro Valley club. She was an active member of a club near Minneapolis and moved to Oro Valley this past August. In her four year with the Minnesota club Bonnie became a Paul Harris Society member and was active in numerous grants both at the local and international levels. Welcome Bonnie!
Just review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Please bring your WRAPPED gift in to Stacey by December 15th, and please have each gift identified with the child's name and gift description. Thank you!
project, to place holiday wreaths on individual graves, will begin at 10 AM on December 17th at the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Marana. After the ceremonies, there are plans for Rotarians to gather for lunch. A participation sign-up sheet will be passed at the next meeting, or you can contact President Steve directly.