Local Businessman Going To Ukraine To Help Refugee Children

GASTONIA, N.C. – While thousands are fleeing Ukraine, a local man is heading there next week to help refugees crossing the border.

He’ll spend two weeks handing out items for children and families who have left everything behind.

“That mother getting off of the train with one suitcase and two kids or three kids, and you can just feel the pain, you can just see it on their faces,” explains Gastonia businessman Joe Lenihan.

Lenihan says he felt moved to take action after watching the mass exodus of women and children fleeing the war torn country.

“I started off a few weeks ago and said I’m gonna go, cause I can make a difference. I have the time. I’m blessed,” he says.

Lenihan says he considered many ways to help, but decided to assemble a thousand school supply kits to bring with him, including everything from coloring books to playing cards.

“And I thought, that’s who we should be going after. It’s the mental health of those children, just to give them maybe a moment’s respite from this humanitarian crisis, they’re just ripped out of their homes,” he says.

Lenihan plans to fly to Poland, then attempt to drive to the Ukrainian border.

“I don’t even know if I can drive, you know there might be 500,000 people on the road. You might have to walk. Or I might have to get there once and stay. I’m bringing a sleeping bag and a tent. And if that’s what I need to do, great, I’ll stay there for two weeks in a tent,” he says.

And Lenihan is used to doing this.

He says for years, he visited countries in Southeast Asia, bringing school supplies to kids in need there.

“You hand them crayons and a coloring book, or markers or a spiral notebook, and their faces light up, and you know you made a difference,” he says.

As for safety, Lenihan says he’s not worried and says any impact he can make is worth it.

“If I can help one, then I’ve made a difference,” he says.

Lenihan is paying for his own flight and transportation to Ukraine, but has started a GoFundMe page to help with school supply donations.