Ukraine Refugee Assistance

In reply to VikkiDp :

Vikki, please let us know if you want us to be ready if/when Bill has an option to receive boxes of clothes. I did baby clothes before, because they were going to the prenatal center. I can get clothes for bigger kids, too.

Matthew:  I don't think the firefighter thing is going to work out.  So far I haven't received any info or success stories from anyone, so why don't we use our one-shot to the APO box for a box of clothing?  It'd have to be the size of one of those boxes you sent to the prenatal center but I bet it would do LOADS of good for the mother in Ukraine.  It being mid-November now, it'd only be delayed at my house for a bit before being driven into country.  Let me know what you think!

Alternatively, if anyone has had success with the firefighter gear let me know

VikkiDp.  Hey, it's the first time you beat me with a run report! 

So yeah guys.  Sorry for being out.  I promised the truck that if she got me home, I'd take care of everything and had to make good on that promise.  This is what happened:

Leading up to the trip, I was noticing a loss of power and a low idle.  I googled the symptoms and got the usual culprits.  Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) and Air Flow Meter (AFM).  Both could be tested with my multimeter, but I didn't have time.  What was happening was the truck would run like it had a clogged up throat, but then would clear and run perfectly if I floored it.  Stopping at lights, the truck would idle at 800rpms for a few seconds and drop to 400rpms.  Really, nothing I thought had to be fixed now.

What was bothering me though were two things.  1 was I found out I was a liter and a half low on coolant.  Looking under and around the truck I found nothing leaking.  I decided my constant tension clamps on my hoses were to blame and added worm-drive bands (the cheap-o variety).  It had been over a month since I checked last, so I wasn't TOO bothered but still very curious as to where my coolant was going.

The morning of, it's your typical 4am departure and a long long drive afterward.  It's kind of boring.  Mrs. Hungary and I both (before I left) quipped that it didn't feel like our typical runs.  The truck was mostly empty (we had over $1000 worth of supplies to bring, but it took up such little room) and we were just dipping across the border, not actually driving through Ukraine like a normal drive would be.

Beyond Kosice, Slovakia and very near the border, I see the trucks coolant gauge starting to rise.   "This is weird", I thought.

I had just topped it up, so why would the truck be getting warm now???  I pulled over and found the radiator was about 3-liters low.

Odd in itself, I also noticed that the trucks cruddy throat was no longer clearing.  I used to be able to floor it and get all my power back, but now when I floor it she breathes like she has flem!  Even flat footed, the truck will barely make 120kph.  It's at this point that I would have turned around. I can limp the truck home and live to fight another day, or push on and get these supplies to Dr. Julia on this ONE break she has.  I said the russians wouldn't stop us when they hit the Road to Relief vehicle with the anti-tank missile and I meant it.  I decide to press on.  Whatever breaks on this trip, I have until December to fix.  The decompression needles and tourniquets in the back of this truck could mean the life or death difference for a LOT of parents who need to get back to their children and every day they are not in an IFAK is one day too many.

At the border things take FOREVER!  I'm stuck in line for nearly 7 hours!  I'm getttin better at the paperwork and don't even have to call VikkiDp this time, but waiting for my turn is excruciatingly long in duration...  The truckers (I have to line up in the commercial lines when I have humanitarian aid) are feeling it too, because some of them are using any excuse they can to get the counter people's attention to see if they can skip ahead with their paperwork.  I've seen it before and it never works.  It just pisses the counter people off because they have to pause what they're doing and explain to the line jumper why he's not special.  Me, I just stand at a relaxed "at ease" until I'm called over.  It works and the previously angry customs agent is super friendly with me.  I had to make copies of a few of my documents, and he was happy to help (I'll have these ready next time).  I get done in the office and then I get English speaking inspectors for the truck.  They're not impressed with what we have:

"Commercial boots.  No military value" one of them deadpans when I open the box for Dr. Julia.

This one kind of rubs a nerve with me.  I was in the military.  I am very familiar with the kind of "one size fits all" solutions they have for their uniforms, and yes.  Even boots.  Military boots were stiff, not comfortable, heavy, and offered no cold weather protection.  At least that's what I had and I don't think my info is out of date.  I make a note to check with VikkiDp later.  It's my opinion that quality commercial options typically beat military options in almost way as we have the simple ability to outspend them in almost every way. but I digress...

"Presents for little girls" he says when I have to unwrap and open Anna's box.

I mean he's friendly enough, but I'm putting this guy solidly in the "arm chair expert" bin.  He sits comfortably at the western border and thinks he knows a trench better than Dr. Julia.  I don't argue and just go with things.  His counterpart wants to make small talk, but inside I'm trying not to explode in every direction at once.  If I'm going to get this stuff in the mail to VikkiDp, then I gotta be at my drop point by 7pm.  It's completely dark now, and I've been in a building without clocks and without my phone for god knows how long.  If I can't make it, then I'm spending the night and that's going to suck.

Luckily the small talk was short.  New regulations are coming, and he wanted to tell me.  I am vaguely aware, and have talked a bit about it with VikkiDp already.  We're both watching with interest.

I fire up the truck, and look at the time.  Almost 6pm.  As soon as I clear the border I stand on it.

My drop point isn't far into town and the town is RIGHT on the border so we've got that going for us.  The truck gets a lot of attention from people as I drive through downtown but eventually I find my Novaposht office and am in the front door.  Using a pre-printed paper, I have it written in Ukrainian what I'd like to do.  But there's an issue and I don't know what it is.  Seeing my Hungarian phone number the lady at the counter asks "do you speak Hungarian?"

(holy smokes, you have got to be kidding me)

"um.  yes, I do" I reply.

"Good.  I need to use the Ukrainian phone number as the senders phone number and the recipients phone number.  is that ok?"

heck yeah it is!  Who cares about my phone number

Done and done with 30 minutes to spare.

I shop at an adjacent grocery store for a few minutes.  I pick up some more Javalin vodka for two co-workers who REALLY have donated a lot during the last run (one guy sent nearly $700!) and did something I don't usually do and bought a bottle for myself to drink.  I've been meaning to try this stuff.

Back at the truck and the light off is weird.  The starter took two tries to turn the engine, and the hit that touched off ignition felt "solid".  It was at this point I started putting everything together.  The disappearing coolant, the constantly dirty coolant no matter how many times I flushed it, the power loss...

my god.  I think we have a failing head gasket.

Ok little truck, we got this.  I'm pointing you west.  You run until you cant, and I'll tow you the rest of the way.

I'm planning ahead as well.  I'll pop the radiator cap when I stop to keep the pressurized water from getting in the engine and hydrolocking when it's shut off.

if it is the head gasket then we only need to worry on the intake stroke and the leak should progress slow in theory.  This means I should have a chance to shut it off if I'm quick to prevent damage to the bottom end.  I might be able to extend my range if I drive without the radiator cap completely as then the coolant wouldn't be pressurized.

Now I'm at the border.  It's 1900 and the line is short.  I text VikkiDp that the run was a success, she texts back that Dnipro is under attack.  It's Iskanders, and they're targeting the infrastructure just as we had expected.

"Stay safe" I respond.  "If you need anything to weather through this winter, please let us know"

4-hours later I'm back in the EU.  I'm exhausted but I can't stop.  I have a routine going where I pull up to a gas pump, unlatch the hood, shut off the lights, set the park brake, open my door....  Then in one motion I shut off the truck, pop the hood and (using a reflective vest to protect my had from burns) I pop the extremely pressurized radiator cap and bleed off all the pressure before topping up the truck.  The leak rate is dead set at just over a liter per hour, and I watch my clock and coolant gauge like a hawk to make my stops.  What follows is a monster energy drink fueled run across Slovakia and Hungary before finally getting back to my house at 4am, completely vibrating from the caffeine.  I shut off the lights and pop the radiator cap one last time.  Inside I'm greeted by Mrs. Hungary who's alarm just went off.

"who the hell sets their alarm for 4am?" I ask jokingly.

"who the hell are you and why aren't the dogs eating you?"  she responds.

I'm home.  Now to fix what's broken.

Epilogue

Much to my embarrassment, I've only just realized that I've been writing "prologue" for my post run reports on just about everything.  I'm not going to fix it, but I did want everyone to know that I do know the difference 

So I think I have everything detailed in my videos.  I was working through a 3-day thrash and didn't want to stop to write.  Hopefully it's all understandable.  In short, I stripped everything down to the block, pan,and rotating assembly.  I had both the head and the timing cover off.  Here's what I found:

Ok.  And in the spirit of full disclosure, my butt dyno is telling me something is still a little off.  She's hitting on all 4 cylinders but I think she's a little down on power from 100% still.  I still need to adjust valves, but I have timing set correctly.  An AFM from a 1982 Supra is on order as well from back when I thought this was a TPS/AFM issue.  More to follow but absolutely nothing that's going to stop her from making her December run, I think.

wait.  doesn't coolant kill an o2 sensor?  I'm going to duck out to google real quick.

cheers guys!  And sorry for being gone most of this week!

And with that, we are off and running guys.  Our campaign is open, and we are going to deliver Christmas to Dnipro (again!).

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-christmas-to-ukraine

As you all know, I'll drive anything you guys want to send into country.  I don't care what it is, or who you want to send it to.  Just let me know what your idea is and we can work on it.  For anyone you know off of the forum, I would  love love love it if you would share the GFM link and share it often.  Last year we got REALLY lucky when one donor donated $7000 and I don't think we can count on lightning striking twice.

It is my hope that one day I can tell you how that donation came in without risking that persons life because it had me absolutely floored when the sequence of events played out.

anyhoo.  Fingers crossed this will be a good one!

Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) said:

Matthew:  I don't think the firefighter thing is going to work out.  So far I haven't received any info or success stories from anyone, so why don't we use our one-shot to the APO box for a box of clothing?  It'd have to be the size of one of those boxes you sent to the prenatal center but I bet it would do LOADS of good for the mother in Ukraine.  It being mid-November now, it'd only be delayed at my house for a bit before being driven into country.  Let me know what you think!

Alternatively, if anyone has had success with the firefighter gear let me know

I asked around and came up with nothing also

I call this one "Puck Futin" 

A clear blue sky over a field of sunflowers.  Happy belated veterans day to all who've fought to give us this wonderful life we live, and to all who are fighting in Ukraine so we can sit comfortably in peace.

Recipe:
3/4oz of 50/50 mix of pineapple juice and sugar
3/4oz vodka
Float blue curacao until you're happy

May the war end before the bottle runs dry.

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

VikkiDp.  Hey, it's the first time you beat me with a run report!  

ummm.... honestly, not sure  i still owe the August run report 

This should be written and i have something(hope interesting ) to say about it 

Bill thank you for your stories - love them so much  and thank you for making this delivery  

aaand i'm so glad that the truck is back on the road 

Hi everyone 

So let's move on  

Bill already described what was going on with the delivery of the boxes for dr.Julia in his report.

I just want to add that it really alarmed me when he texted that he had been standing at the border for 4 hours already(and even more as we already know) - i really crossed my fingers and my toes that Bill would be to the Nova post office on time. And I was incredibly happy when I got the notification from the Nova post that the package shipped. I didn't know there was a problem with the truck then.

I just picked up the boxes and got call from dr.Julia right away to set up our meeting for the evening  it was on Monday 

The thing is she had a short vacation to spend some time with her son and make some documents and Monday evening was the only time we could get together, because she was on her way to her serving place on Wednesday early morning.

I am so glad we were able to get all the boxes together and get them to her on time 

How was that? Look at the pictures 

She was excited as a little girl - boots, thermals, socks - she was absolutely happy  about all the stuff!!! 

Tourniquets, needles, meds and everything else - all of these things will save someone's health or life 

Thank to all you guys 

Medic's report 

There is still a need for tourniquets (always), chest vents, hemolytic bandages and catheter sets(need 5-7 ea, pic is below)

tuna55 said:

Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) said:

Matthew:  I don't think the firefighter thing is going to work out.  So far I haven't received any info or success stories from anyone, so why don't we use our one-shot to the APO box for a box of clothing?  It'd have to be the size of one of those boxes you sent to the prenatal center but I bet it would do LOADS of good for the mother in Ukraine.  It being mid-November now, it'd only be delayed at my house for a bit before being driven into country.  Let me know what you think!

Alternatively, if anyone has had success with the firefighter gear let me know

I asked around and came up with nothing also

Hey, no worries.  I appreciate you all trying.  I thought this one might be a tough one to get, but we wouldn't have known unless we tried, right?

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

Bill, just to be crystal clear, how many boxes are you willing to ask the one-shot to handle? Just one box? If you want one, you get one. If you want to fill your truck, we will figure it out and make it happen.

Vikki, if it turns out to be just one box, can you tell me size/age?

VikkiDp said:

Thank to all you guys 

Medic's report 

There is still a need for tourniquets (always), chest vents, hemolytic bandages and catheter sets(need 5-7 ea, pic is below)

 

 

 

Vikki, I have good news for you on that one!  I'll write it all out in this weeks update

Here goes!

So starting at the top, I'm going to keep the Kisgorbo shelter on there.  That was a HUGE effort that did tons of good for people who really needed it and I wanted to make sure that the success of the entire thing was remembered.

Next up is the Mothers and Baby fund for Vikki's efforts in Dnipro.  Our last transfer was made on the first as scheduled but until the end of the year we may end up struggling a bit with this one.  Due to the short time that our Adopt a Medic fundraiser is open for, people have reached out and explained that they're putting more there in the short term and it will cost this fund a bit until we can catch back up.

Go Fund Me is up and running and off to a damn rocky start.  I made an edit to the body of the fundraiser and it kicked the whole thing back to GFM's approval process.  People weren't able to donate for the first 24-hours and I feel like we may have missed a few donors as of course that coincided with my big announcement on all the social media platforms.  It was cleared up in short order though, and we're just starting to see donations trickle in.  Up to $100 so far and we've got a fair bit of time left.  If you guys wanted to take the link and share it anywhere you thought people might be interested, I would certainly appreciate it.  The more eyes on it the better.

No change in Ira's school/Art Supplies.  I did text her before I traveled to Uzhhorod to see if she still needed books but didn't get a reply.  I'm sure she's just busy.

Baby Clothes, Baby Blankets, Baby Food, and Diapers:  With our firefighter PPE not working out I think we can very much send one box to an APO to support this effort.  I know Vikki made mention of a mother needing clothes for her daughter a few days ago, and this is something I think we absolutely could support if we pooled our efforts together.

Adopt a Medic:  Vikki, here's your good news.  Check out that balance!  We have over $1000 in this fund so far and we still have a few days to go!  We can work out the details on what we want to buy for Dr. Julia OR we could send her the cash and let her decide.  But either way, she's getting an early Christmas this year!

Stuffie Delivery:  No change in this one, for obvious reasons.  Still working on it, I promise.

Ok, new week.  Here we go!  Cheers everyone!

Currently Open:

Vikki's "Mothers and Children" (Monthly Sustainment):  paypal@gmail address (Hungarian Forint)

Bring Christmas to Ukraine:  https://gofund.me/14b71797

Julia, our "adopted" medic:  https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8YJpyYxcbF

P.O. Box address available for any parties interested in shipping items directly to me in Hungary (PM for address)

Currently being worked on:

I've removed the links to the Hospitallers Amazon wishlists due to ongoing issues on their end.  They can not seem to deliver what we need to neither my current address nor my PO box.  

If the Amazon.com situation changes, I'll repost the lists here.

Rebeka M. Collection is ongoing.   When I set up the PO box locally, it was to give her a private address for her supporters to send small items to.  I could then collect those items into a larger delivery and send them to her all at once.  I have her post details in Ukraine and still plan to keep this open.  She has my address and knows that it is open for her to use.  In the event that I do receive something for her, I will still make good on the promise to deliver but am otherwise considering her to have moved on to other things.

Currently Closed:

Hospitallers Battalion/Rebekah M:  Contact lost, and I was unable to reestablish.  Effort moved to Julia

Kisgorbo Refugee Shelter:  Warm wishes to all who took refuge.  May you all find peace and prosperity wherever you are.

Social media accounts:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/510575651154518

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/dniproexpress/

Thank you everyone!

matthewmcl said:

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

Bill, just to be crystal clear, how many boxes are you willing to ask the one-shot to handle? Just one box? If you want one, you get one. If you want to fill your truck, we will figure it out and make it happen.

Vikki, if it turns out to be just one box, can you tell me size/age?

Just one, but if we absolutely could not do it in one then I might be able to push for a second box.  My relationship with this person is brand new and I don't want to risk being too greedy and ruining it

It just goes to show how good of a thing we had going on, and I'm really missing it right now.  I'm still working on trying to get a permanent solution but it takes so long to get responses from the appropriate parties I really don't think we'll have it done before the end of the year

In reply to matthewmcl :

Hello, Matthew! 

as i understand Bill approved the shipment of one box   and that's great i think 

The baby-girl i wrote about is 3yo, her height 104-110 cm (41-43,3 inches), shoe size(foot)  is approx. 17cm(6.69 inches) - hoping it help 

She needs winter outerwear - coat or jacket and winter pants(set) or something, winter boots.

if there's some room in the box, i could ask about a couple more kids.

If you need to clarify anything feel free to ask me 

Thank you!!!

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

It just goes to show how good of a thing we had going on, and I'm really missing it right now. 

Ohhh, that's absolutely true!!!

Fingers crossed for a better solution 

Hi everyone 

Let's continue? Someone thought that it was gonna be a boring run  (yes, Bill?), but nooo.... we have so many wonderful events instead(the broken down truck doesn't count)

Among the boxes Bill shipped was a box for Anna from Bakhmut, I texted Anna's mom that i received a gift  for her.  They were so surprised and intrigued.

We met up with Anna's mom, Anna herself was shy to come along with her, but was very excited to open the box. 

What was there? I'll be honest, i was intrigued, too 

Very soon i got a message 

-Translation-

Anna is happy. The package contained a graphics tablet, cool headphones, and a cute kitty cat. Now she's going to school to show off her gifts.

But there was something else in the box - it was a letter 

First, Anna and her mom tried to translate it through a translator and then asked me to help translate  

They also asked me to give the following to the author of the letter: A big thank you from Anna and our entire family for such wonderful gifts 

So i do it with great pleasure  Benjamin thank you 

A teacher at the school had already helped Anna set up the tablet  

this drawing for everyone from Anna.

In reply to VikkiDp :

I LOVE those photos!!!  Anna is an amazing artist!  I'm really glad those gifts made it there ok, and I am so sorry it took me so darn long to get into country to send them to you!

In reply to VikkiDp :

Vikki, give me a list of whatever you are trying to find and I will stuff the box with as much as I can get to fit.

Shoes for a 17cm foot, EU size 28?

Man.  I really needed that Anna update today.  Thank you guys.

It works out perfectly because I have a couple packages for the December trip's raffle.  As usual, anyone who's donated since the fundraiser has started is put in a hat.  Each ticket is $5, and Mrs. Hungary and I split everything up into two packages. 

Here's what we got for ya:

Package 1

In Package 1 are three pairs of Ukraine "The Socks" (various sizes, sorry!)  A ukraine flag magnet and a Ukraine heart magnet.  And of course, our new favorite TP!


Box 2 is very similar to box 1:

Three pairs of Ukraine "The Socks" (again, various sizes), a Ukraine flag pin, a Ukrainian soldier magnet, and yes.  Both packages have our new favorite TP

All these were bought in Kyiv at Independence square on our August run, but I will also try to get more Vodka while in country.  I will say though that I'm at a slight disadvantage with this drawing as we've done it a few times now and I have NO idea who's won a gift anymore and who hasn't (sorry, I had no idea where this would go when we started down this path).  I promise it's all random, so whoever gets drawn will have first right of refusal.  Winners will be announced after we have destinations for all the gifts.

I will say that if you donate directly to the GFM then please send me a courtesy e-mail as I can't always match up the real names to the screen names.

Cheers guys!  And thanks for everything!

In reply to matthewmcl :

Shoes for a 17cm foot, EU size 28?

hmmm... different size ranges offer different sizes of shoes  it can be 27 or 28 EU 

Give me a few days(2-3), i'll ask the moms what the kids need 

Thanks for your help 

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

It works out perfectly because I have a couple packages for the December trip's raffle.  As usual, anyone who's donated since the fundraiser has started is put in a hat.  Each ticket is $5, and Mrs. Hungary and I split everything up into two packages. 

Wooowww!!! Man, excellent prizes!!!

Of course there will be prizes for this raffle from me too!!! I've already got my eye on something 

VikkiDp said:

In reply to matthewmcl :

Shoes for a 17cm foot, EU size 28?

hmmm... different size ranges offer different sizes of shoes  it can be 27 or 28 EU 

Give me a few days(2-3), i'll ask the moms what the kids need 

Thanks for your help 

Quick edit: i still think that it's 27 EU size 

Hi everyone!!! 

There's one more little story to finish my part of the last trip report.

Of all the boxes i received there was one small one and it was for Vikki - for me

Ohhh, guys you made me crying - it felt so nice  

There were earphones and t-shirt in the box 

Do you remember Aaron's story about a Ukrainian day in his city? He wrote about it here a few pages ago. This T-shirt from there - i think it's AMAZING!!!

And with earphones i can enjoy my favorite music more - i love that so much - the sound is great!!!

Awww, i'm so happy 

Ben, Aaron THANK YOU guys 

It was really unexpected and it was a pleasure