Commitment for 2 years

BE Ukraine's clothing store is open to everyone

Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine two years ago, "BE Ukraine" has been working intensively to deliver aid. The commitment of the volunteers is not only unbroken, it has also continued to develop.

29 February 2024 by Sandra Berges
  • Michael Ständker, Murat Büyükyilmaz, Izabela Gryksa, Günther John, Jutta and Michael Ständker have just been awarded the honorary card.

The earthquake in Turkey and Syria, for example, has broadened the focus of support. The registered association is now dedicated to all those affected by crises.

Clothing store and more
During a visit to the rented premises on Neißer Straße, Martin May-Neitemann, Head of Social Services, thanked the volunteers: "Your really impressive and well-organised support has helped us a lot and continues to help us greatly." He emphasised that in addition to BE Ukraine, many other organisations also actively helped with initial care and integration.

At the on-site meeting with the volunteers, the employees of the City of Beckum were impressed by the commitment and the rooms: from left to right Murat Büyükyilmaz, Michael and Jutta Ständker, Izabela Gryksa, Marei-Liselotte Radke (Integration Manager of the City of Beckum), Dirk Vollenkemper, Karina Benjilany (Volunteer Coordinator of the City of Beckum), Martin May-Neitemann (Head of Social Services) and Günther John.

For almost a year now, the association has been distributing pre-sorted clothing, small items of furniture, bicycles, crockery and electrical appliances free of charge to anyone who can provide proof of need, regardless of their origin. The grant of 10,000 euros from the city of Beckum as part of the North Rhine-Westphalia Economic Stabilisation Pact was also helpful here. This meant that donations could be purchased in Beckum's retail stores. "We attached particular importance to this," said Dirk Vollenkemper, 2nd Chairman of BE Ukraine.

Volunteer card presented to 5 members
Coordinator Karina Benjilany presented the volunteer card as a small thank you for the hours of voluntary work. This card entitles volunteers to discounts in many places. The prerequisite for receiving the volunteer card is two years of volunteering for an average of 5 hours per week.

The service is much appreciated
Around 20 volunteers regularly take care of the donations and the distribution centre, which is much appreciated by the people in the refugee accommodation, among others. Marei-Liselotte Radke, integration manager for the town of Beckum, was able to report this. In addition to clothing, small electrical appliances such as hoovers and microwaves, youth bicycles, kitchen tables and chairs, pots and pans are currently being accepted as donations. What is particularly urgently needed at the moment can be found on the homepage www.be-ukraine.de. New volunteers for the clothing store or the bicycle workshop are also always welcome.

Whether through aid deliveries or a distribution centre, the commitment of BE Ukraine, which now has almost 80 members, has already helped many people in need.