Submitted photos

From L-R: Dahlia Bennett, Connie Hall, and Mariah Bennett participating in the community quilt project.

In an effort to help Ukrainian people who are under siege from Russia, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted a community quilt project April 30 in Burns. 

Aware that some donations never make it to the intended recipients, organizers of the community quilt project strove to find a guaranteed delivery service.

“We were put in contact with Dr. Mark and Alice Rampton, who reside in Corvallis,” Judy Winn said, explaining that Corvallis, Ore. has a sister city named Uzhhorod, Ukraine.

Winn noted that “uzh” means snake, and “horod” means city in Ukrainian, so Uzhhorod translates to “city on snake river.”

Corvallis Sister Cities Association has fostered a 30-year relationship between Corvallis and Uzhhorod. During the last three decades, hundreds of individuals have traveled between the two cities on exchanges involving students, doctors, nurses, physical therapists, artists, mayors, government leaders, dentists, teachers, professors, agriculturists, volunteers, emergency personnel, legal professionals, and business leaders.

“When the Feb. 24 invasion by Russian forces began, we knew we had to do something for our friends and colleagues in [the] sister city,” Winn said.

Thousands of refugees fled to Uzhhorod because it’s situated in the westernmost part of Ukraine. There are now 70,000-80,000 refugees in the city and surrounding area. About  300,000 additional refugees passed through the region on their way to border crossings into Slovakia and Hungary. 

Ahead of the Ramptons’ trip to Uzhorod on May 15, several local women met on April 30 to complete at least 12 lap quilts to send to Ukraine. The quilters were assisted by several helpful husbands who set up the room. 

Thanks to the accomplished quilters — as well as the amazing folks who donated fabric, quilt lining, finished quilts, and finished afghans — 20 quilts were sent to Bend on May 7. They were then taken to Corvallis on May 8.

The Ramptons were able to pack one of their 10 suitcases with 14 quilts, and they each carried an additional quilt onto their flight. Altogether, 16 quilts arrived safely in Uzhorod to be distributed to those in need. 

A Corvallis-based quilters guild has also been making quilts for Uzhorod for many years. The 16 quilts that the Ramptons took to Ukrain were a mix of quilts from Burns and Corvallis.

Most of the Ramptons’ other luggage was filled with much-needed medical supplies.

Another trip to Uzhorod is planned for June, and if there is room, more of the quilts will be delivered.

Alice Rampton said she and Dr. Mark Rampton visited 11 shelters for refugees and distributed quilts whenever appropriate. She added that the Ukranians were thrilled to receive them. 

Alice also noted that, instead of calling them refugees, a better term for Ukranians under siege from Russia would be Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). She explained that the term “refugee” is usually used for someone who fled, not only their home, but their country as well. 

“Most of these people were still planning to live in Ukraine,” Alice said, adding, “About five of the [quilt] recipients were moving from Ukraine to another country, but were still in Ukraine for the time being.”

She noted that most of the people who received quilts were from the Donetsk and Luhansk areas, and their homes were either partially or totally destroyed.

“Yet, many of them still wanted to go back,” Alice said.

Winn said, “We were very thankful to be able to help these people, even in a small way. There will be more quilting project days scheduled for the future, so perhaps we will be able to assist others in need.”