WILLIAMSBURG — Tracy Magdalene is a recently retired public defender who lives in Haydenville with her husband David Farnham and their dog Scout. It’s a world away from Ukraine, which is currently enduring war and has seen more than 2 million people flee the country.
Yet, through personal and family connections to eastern Europe, Magdalene has become a conduit for money to those seeking to flee the violence, as well as those who have chosen to stay.
Magdalene lived in Poland in the late 1990s, and like many people who grew up in the Hilltowns, she is of Polish descent.
“They’re people who will do whatever they can for you,” Magdalene said, recalling her time in Poland.
Magdalene became inspired to help people in Ukraine after being connected — through her sister, Renee Berrian — with a Ukranian man named Sasha, who heads a soccer nonprofit. Sasha is using his networks, many of which are in the soccer world, to help find host families outside of Ukraine for those fleeing the country.
“We just find families who have an open heart,” Sasha said.
He’s doing this yeoman’s work from Poland, where he fled with his wife and two children after Russia invaded Ukraine last month.
“His wife and two kids had to get to the border on their own,” Magdalene said. “It took them two days to get there … what should have been a three-hour drive.”
Because of security concerns, only Sasha’s nickname is being used. In addition to his nonprofit work, he has also worked for the United Nations. His ties to western Massachusetts are through Berrian, who recently retired from Project Harmony, which does exchange programs between countries in the former Soviet Block and the U.S. Berrian met Sasha in her travels for that work.
Sasha said that he has helped more than 70 families across the border and provided accommodations outside of Ukraine through this effort.
Magdalene has asked for donations for Sasha’s work on Facebook, and has wired $4,700 to him so far. However, most of that money has come from Magdalene herself.
Sasha expressed appreciation for the funds.
“People from Ukraine are really grateful for all this support,” he said.
He said that the money provides hot meals for people and that food for the first month at a host family is paid for. He also said that it pays for buses and taxis.
“There are people who are in need,” Magdalene said. “If we can help we should.”
Those wishing to send money to Ukrainians via Magdalene can contact her at 413-320-9036.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.