Jeremy Foy, Warehouse and Logistics Manager Stands in Front of 26 Pallets of Medical Supplies Heading to Ukraine Tomorrow Morning via Truck.

An Ocean State Job Lots Truck Used to Transport Medical Supplies and Equipment to New Jersey for Shipment to Ukraine.

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Retired Physical Therapists Who Volunteer are Sally Dalton and Mary Berg with Jeremy Foy, Warehouse & Logistics Manager This Afternoon.

This Second Group of  Palletts is Being Assembled for Shipment to Ukraine by Sea on April 13th.

Pallet after pallet of medical supplies filled a small storage room at the large Partners for World Health warehouse at 312 Canco Road this afternoon.

Tomorrow morning these  medical supplies will begin their long journey to Ukraine where they will be used to help Ukranians in the health crisis created by the brutal invasion of Putin into Ukraine.

The 26 pallets will be loaded into a truck provided by Ocean State Job Lots and driven to an air terminal in New Jersey by the company’s drivers. Loading the palletts onto Ocean State Job Lots trucks will take between l/2 hour to an hour.  “It goes pretty quickly,” said Foy. The medical supplies include masks, gloves, surgical packs, syringes and needles according to labels on the 26 pallets in the store room – weighing 12,000 pounds of equipment and supplies.

“The transmission of a shipment overseas is so complicated because there are so many elements involved.  Like getting a truck, a driver, paying the cost of the container, and coordinating with the shiping company,” said Mary Berg, a retired physical therapist.  She has voluntered for the nonprofit for six years working on orthopedics with a rehab team of five. Every shipment that goes out gets some orthopedics.

The supplies are collected from all over the northeast by founder Elizabeth McLellan.  They’ve been collected from doctors offices in Portland, New Hampshire, and all over Maine.  New York City has been an excellent source of supplies as have hospitals in Boston.  They include Mass General, MGH, Beth Israel,and many more according to Berg.

“Our hospital partners in New England are keeping us stocked and our only challenge is to keep funding coming.  People have been generous, but we know this is a long haul,” said Paul Golding, Director of Development and Communications.  “We have great partners helping us reduce transportation costs such as Ocean State Job Lots, (a Rhode Island based company) and MEEST.  We are ensuring that every donated dollar is used wisely.” Ocean State Job Lots is a discount chain with a store located in the Falmouth Shopping Center, in Route 1, Falmouth.

Air Lift 1 is already being used in Ukraine.  Air Lift 2, leaving this morning is expected to arrive over the weekend.  Air Lift 3 may be shipped next week. Eventually, five shipments totalling more than $1,000,000 in supplies will be sent to help Ukranians in this medical crisis.  The non-profit is also working on shipments to Syria and Ethopia.

One upcomng fundraising event is a “Concert for Ukraine – A Benefit for Partners for World Health.  It is set for Saturday, April 9 at One Longfellow Square, 181 State Street.  Doors open at 7:00 pm and the concert begins at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $15. in advance and $30. at the door.  Donations will be accepted for those who are unable to attend the Concert.  All proceeds from ticket sales wll be donated to the nonprofit to supply Ukraine with desparately needed medical supplies.  Please call 207 – 774-5555 for donation information..

Because of the small size of the venue, all staff, volulnteers, performers and patrons will be required to show proof of full vaccination to attend.  Wearing masks indoors is also required unless actively drinking, eating or performing.

Please visit website: wwwpartnersforworldhealth.org for more information.