How many of us are thinking regularly about the roughly three-year-old conflict in the Ukraine.

It may not be that high on the list given the state of things inside the United States. DOGE, the Big Beautiful Bill, federal spending cuts, the mess in Iran and Israel, increasing levels of mental illness and homelessness, energy independence, immigration, tariffs and higher costs for just about everything we buy all compete with Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine for our attention.

That’s why it’s worth singling out the commitment to a group of local residents who are not only concerned with the plight of the Ukraine but are actively doing what they can to help those affected by the ongoing fighting in the region.

Piper VanOrd of Allegheny Outfitters has helped lead local relief drives and traveled to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees through the Kocham Debniki Foundation. KDF is a part of the Ukrainian refugee community in Krakow. It provides a space for people to fill their basic needs, including food, clothing, medical supplies, English and Polish language lessons, cooking lessons and more, helping over 1,500 families in the neighborhood, mostly women with children and the elderly. The organization basically deals with a homeless refugee crisis of over 1,500 people daily who need all the basics of life and survival.

“Warren has been an integral part of this foundation,” VanOrd said. “The grassroots efforts there and here in Warren have been very strong. The communities are connected at the heart.”

This week, the foundation is hosting a thank-you program in Warren from 6 to 8 p.m. July 1 at the Woman’s Club of Warren. The program will highlight how the Warren community’s support, generosity and encouragement has helped KDF grow into a vibrant place of healing, resilience and hope for the Ukrainian women and families displaced by the war.

Locals who have donated have made a mark on an area they will likely never visit and helped people they likely will never meet. A thank you – and a nice dinner – is more than enough.