Upon opening Netflix, I stumbled across the documentary “The White Helmets,” and was moved by the film and group’s actions.
The White Helmets is an organization of civilians strongly dedicated to rescuing those hurt by Russia’s brutal airstrikes and Assad’s vicious shelling of Syria. Membership is voluntary and everyone who joins has a personal reason and most have lost someone in the war. The organization desperately needs us.
Each month, White Helmet members from all over Syria head to southern Turkey to participate in search and rescue training. The group uses and needs equipment to find and save Syrian civilians – women, children, and men – buried under rubble.
One member of the White Helmets said, “It doesn’t matter if you’re one of us or an enemy, we are there for you.” I found this quote to be really inspirational and decided to further research the organization and ways to support them.
It turns out the White Helmets has a website (www.whitehelmets.org ) where you can donate money for helmets, stretchers, gloves, listening devices and other kinds of essential rescue equipment.
I believe Syria is crying out to the world for help and “one big cease fire.” The country needs the full support of the world’s nations. We may only be able to do local funding events for Syria, but in the greater context we can support unarmed organizations like the White Helmets who are making a change each and every day to rescue and aid those in the hell of war.
I encourage anyone reading this to take a few minutes out of your day and go to www.whitehelmets.org. Support them if you want and if you don’t have the money or time, at least you know the White Helmets are making Syria a better place.
Gabe Gajda
Amherst