NEW YORK — Suzanne Johnson thinks often of her deceased parents when she views the heartbreaking news reports and video clips from Ukraine.
Sometimes it’s just too much. She just wants to help.
Johnson, Johnson’s wife, feels it all close to home. New York JetsWoody Johnson is her owner. Marie was the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants. Her father, Stefan Ircha was from Ternopil, a town just outside of battle-rocked Kyiv. He emigrated to the United States at 21.
Suzanne Johnson spoke to The Associated Press by telephone. She said that her mother died 10 years ago and her father two years ago. He must be in his grave now.
“This would have killed him. It’s simply incredulous. This is the only way I can describe what’s going on today.
Tuesday’s announcement by the Jets was a $1million donation to Ukraine. The country was attacked by Russia on February 24, 2019. Over the next year, the donation will be divided among multiple organizations with each receiving $100,000.
Johnson stated, “I wanted do my part to help and to raise awareness because this problem is not going away.”
They’ll need the money for long periods of time to rebuild and to get aid. It will be there. So, I hope that we can start something. The world has been generous and I wish it will continue to be so.”
Johnson was born in America and grew up in New York in a Ukrainian neighbourhood. Johnson has been a volunteer for many years in Ukrainian charities and she used her contacts when she and her husband decided how to help.
Plast Scouting USA was the first to receive a donation from Jets. It was established in Ukraine in 1911 and focuses on urgent needs such as first-aid supplies and medical equipment.
Johnson stated, “What we wanted was to find organizations that have boots on ground” and have the means to get the stuff to them immediately.
Andrew Kozak, chairman of Plast Scouting USA, thanked the Jets for their donation in a statement.
Kozak stated that the funds would be used immediately to purchase critical medical supplies to help the many wounded Ukrainians.
The Jets also offered a way for employees to donate medical supplies. In an extended effort to help victims and their families, the Jets will match all donations.
Woody Johnson stated in a statement that the donations would positively impact Ukrainian refugees as well as their families by providing them with essential supplies. “The need for resources continues to grow.” Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those whose lives have been touched, as well as all those in pain.
Many sports organizations and individuals have contributed to the relief and aid efforts in recent months.
FIFA, the soccer’s governing body donated $1 million for humanitarian efforts. Tennis star Roger FedererThe Ukrainian government donated $500,000 to ensure that children have access to education. Together, the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments as well as the sport’s governing bodies made a $700,000.00 donation to support humanitarian relief efforts. Washington CommandersResponse efforts were helped by owners Tanya Snyder and Dan Snyder, who donated $300,000.
Suzanne Johnson explained that “you see it in movies and hear about, but you don’t see these things unfolding on your TV on the news channels.”
“But now, the whole world is seeing and it’s just too crazy. This is the visual that has truly hit this country, bringing it together to fight for this cause. It will help to create a peaceful nation in 2022 who just wants to prosper and live happily.
“They’ve decimated the country, and it will take years to rebuild. It’s just so stupid that I have no words.” It’s heartbreaking.”