ORLANDO, Fla. – A military veteran living in Orlando has arrived in Poland, volunteering at a shelter for Ukrainian refugees.
Andrew Leibenguth said on Wednesday that he’s helping cheer up refugees in Warsaw, Poland.
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“I go in there and I cheer people up. My only goal, that’s all I do,” Leibenguth said. “They’re sad, as I would be. A lot of them lost their homes, a lot don’t plan on going back, have no clue what they are going to do.”
Not knowing the language, Leibenguth said he quickly realized he could connect with the children refugees by demonstrating magic tricks.
Leibenguth said he has been amazed by the support Poland’s government is offering to people from Ukraine.
As an Iraq war veteran, Leibenguth also said he has experience managing hurricane relief shelters in Louisiana. He’s urging Floridians to continue their support for the refugees in the region.
“Do not forget. Keep donating to these large organizations because without that, it’s only going to get worse; moral, money,” Leibenguth said.
A spokesperson for GoFundMe said people in Florida have raised $1.6 million across 11,000 campaigns since the war broke out in Ukraine.
St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church in Apopka is asking for people to donate online instead of dropping off physical donations. The church created this Amazon “wish list” for needed supplies. To donate, click here.