Ukraine Refugee Assistance

Ohhh, i almost forgot 

Hi everyone!!! 

the assistance is continuing  i've ordered diapers and baby food for three babies and all this stuff is on its way to recipients - that's great!!! this help is really needed.

Moms and kids fund report 

David S. Wallens said:

You rule, Bill. 

Thanks David!

and please don't ever forget that it was the environment you all fostered that made this possible.

VikkiDp said:

Bill, thanks for all your stories - love it so much!!!

Thanks for all you did and all you do!!! and thanks all those people who made these possible - thank you all guys!!!

Each of the runs is different, each of the runs brings us something new to the table - sometimes it's something good, sometimes not (the good always outnumber the bad, btw). But always, ALWAYS!!! we always found a way out of any situation!!! I absolutely love that!!!

Did it make us worried in the moment? Haa, of course!!! but you DID it!!! we did it, we did it every time!!!

Winter runs are especially exhausting - it's getting dark earlier and it's cold. I'm so glad you and the truck made it home safely. 

I'd be more excited if we could find a way to make the trips less exhausting. I really waited for every messages to make sure that everything was okay. So let's think about what we can do with this. mmm...? are there any thoughts?

Star Trek teleportation system was the first thing that came to my mind

As exhausting as they are, the trips are becoming more "routine".  I'm getting used to them, so the stress level (at least for me) has gone down a LOT since our run last Christmas. 

As promised, I finished the video.  It's a little long but I hope everyone is able to give it a watch.

Thank you everyone.

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

As promised, I finished the video.  It's a little long but I hope everyone is able to give it a watch.

It really made me cry 

When i get messages from the moms - it makes me cry too... very often (i'll show and translate everything for you too, certainly!!!) 

It's moments like this you realize it's worth all the efforts 

Thank you everyone!!!

Hi everyone!!! 

The babies from the new families received some help from us!!! 

and a few words from their moms, of course 

-translation- Hello. We received the package. I'm shocked. I'm truly grateful to you all. 

-translation- Miracles happen. I made sure of that.

-translation- Huge thanks to you all for this big gift. I'm so grateful. wish you peaceful skies above.

Happy Monday everyone!  Our last update was on the 4th, I thought it was time for another:

Ok, Vikki's got some awesome updates from her mother's and babies fund!  I was super happy to see those.

Our GoFundMe is of course, closed.  We have all the updates posted, so if you haven't had a chance to check them out please go back one page and see what you're missing.  I did try something new with video recording this time.  I'm not quite sure it's worked (yet), but maybe there's something to it.  More to follow

I'm currently reaching back out to Ira.  This is still about trying to get her school those books she needs.  I'm not giving up on this yet, and I have a run scheduled in February.  Hopefully that works out.

Both our Baby Clothes AND our Stuffie deliveries are pending a freight forwarder.  So far nothing's come through but I'm not giving up on that either.

And last, but certainly not least:

We have a fundraiser that's just opened today!

All the details are in the body of the fundraiser, but the short and sweet of it is we're planning another hop across the border here soon and would like to bring a little something for our favorite medic!  Here's the link for all who are interested:

https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/913PfoE8w2

Currently Open:

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

Julia, our "adopted" medic:  Yahoo paypal address, or at the following link:  https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/913PfoE8w2

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

Currently being worked on:

Freight forwarding:  I've cast some lines out into the pool but nothing's biting.  I haven't given up and hopefully will have something for us sooner rather than later.

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!

Good moonin everyone! Apologies that it took me a while, but editing this video took me longer than expected.

Dr. Julia sat for an interview in Ukraine and I got permission to share it here!  She was ok with leaving her face exposed for the video, but asked that I try to block out her last name to the best of my abilities. The subtitles were auto-translated by youtube, so apologies there as well (things get “spotty” at times)

Towards the end of the video, I really liked what she said about what she looks forward to after the war.  It reminded me a lot of what I was reflecting on after getting those patches from Sergei

Okay, guys, I’m still determined to finish that summer story – the previous part of it on the previous page.

We did it!!! (continuation)

We decided to take 5 minutes coffee break before heading the next point. I and Mrs. Hungary are going to a small store near to the Nova post office to get some water, some snacks for Sarah and Bill and a cup of coffee for Vikki.

When we came back to the truck, guess who Bill was waving at? Yeah, it was Sergei’s car!!!

I had no idea there was a little room for me in the truck, so I asked Sergei to help us.

Of course, I'd love to keep Sarah and Bill company in the truck. And I'd be happy to tell Sarah about all the sights along the way in person. But, instead of that… I think Bill can already give tours of the Dnipro waterfront and did a great tour for Sarah.

The last few packages with school supplies and even a child's bicycle have been sent via Ukrposhta without any problems.

It’s time to go to the prenatal center. I call them and they’re waiting for us.

Next up is the Prenatal center, and Sergei is off like a SHOT!  He's leading this charge and he driving like we're going to be late to something that we're going to be really late for.

Ha-ha, of course, Sergei drove his car so fast to get to our destination because we were very much expected there. Ha-ha-ha, nooo…. he wanted to show how cool his Lada is - boys are boys, at any age 

Finally we arrived (Bill, it was the same building – we just went the other way).

The doctors warmly welcome us. When the main of them came out on the porch and saw the truck she said «oh, It’s the same car!!!». Then she turned her head, saw Bill and said with smile «and the same guy!!!». I could tell she was pleasantly surprised!!!

The boxes are quickly moved into the hospital building and the same head doctor tells us a little bit about the hospital. This building houses the intensive care and reanimation units. It’s a regional hospital that now accepts pregnant women from the occupied and the frontline territories and helps women with pregnancy abnormalities and cancer. They help babies be born healthy, or take care of their health afterwards.

Holy people work in a hospital like this, I'd like to tell you that!!! 

But It’s time to say goodbye - many words of thanks and warm goodbye's hugs.

We’re back on the road - a quick stop by the apartment building that was damaged by the missile (it's impossible to get used to).

The next stop is Vikki’s place because the guys need to get some rest. We're celebrating the completion of our mission with homemade wine (sorry, Bill, but you’re not in the game) and tasting summer version of the borscht (I promised Bill once again I'll write the recipe, for sure…)

Time flies very fast and it's time for the guys to hit the road. I wrote a note with all the details so Bill and Sarah could get the boxes of candies in Kiev. I was incredibly happy when I got the message from Mrs. Hungary – «we have the sweets!!!» Woo-hooo!!! (sorry, guys, for this extra adventure )

Have a safe and good trip, my brave friends - wish them!!! and thank you for all you do!!! 

VikkiDp said:

Ha-ha, of course, Sergei drove his car so fast to get to our destination because we were very much expected there. Ha-ha-ha, nooo…. he wanted to show how cool his Lada is - boys are boys, at any age 

That made me laugh! 

The more people I meet, the more I realize how much we're all the same 

Alrighty!  I have our Monday update coming here shortly (on a Tuesday) but first I wanted to announce the winners of the December Run's raffle!

FlynLow was drawn for what I'm calling "Package 1"  (see photo  below)

Don Fip was drawn for what I'm calling "Package 2"  (see photo below)

Driven5 was drawn for VikkiDp's Patches (photo below)

And Wally was drawn for VikkiDp's post cards from Ukraine!

All winners please contact us with the postage details of where you'd like the boxes sent and we'll get those in the mail to ya as soon as we can!

Cheers guys! 

Alrighty, as promised here is our Monday Update:

Looks like Vikki's Mothers and Baby's fund is sitting at 16k HUF ($50 USD).

Our GFM is currently closed and will open in time to catch the Orthodox Easter Holiday for the children in Dnipro.  Like last year, we'll be delivering chocolates to the kids and hopefully some needed items to the orphanage we weren't able to help in December.

I shot a message out to Ira about seeing if her books would be available in time for our February run to Uzhhorod to support Dr. Julia, but haven't heard back yet

And our adopt a medic is going strong at $370 ($359 after Paypal fees).  Still lots of time left on that one as well

Currently Open:

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

Julia, our "adopted" medic:  Yahoo paypal address, or at the following link:  https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/913PfoE8w2

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

Currently being worked on:

Freight forwarding:  I've cast some lines out into the pool but nothing's biting.  I haven't given up and hopefully will have something for us sooner rather than later.

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.

Websight!  Mrs. Hungary and I purchased the "Dnipro Express" domain name and are currently in work on building a website to try to make our effort look a little more "professional" to those outside of our GRM family.  We're hoping to go live soon, so more to follow on that one.

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!

Oh man, you know things were going too good when nothing broke on the last trip.  The truck had its two-year technical inspecion today and I thought I'd try a new station...

It did not go well....

That hand written note has a back-side and the list on that side is just as long.

So what failed?

Well, let's say that the only things I did not argue with was that the front shocks could use replacing, left front brake was weaker than the right side, and that I can understand that they want the exhaust extended out to the rear of the vehicle.

That being end of what I'm calling the "legitimate list", we go on to crap I'm complaining about

The idler arm's rubber bushing has a crack in it.  I have to replace the whole idler arm assembly to fix it (yes, seriously.  That's what the guy said I have to do)

The mud guards that the last inspection station had me install, I now have to take off (which I don't mind one bit)

There was an oil drip hanging from the drain plug on the oil pan.  It didn't fall mind you, but apparently that's grounds for a rejection...

as is the drip of coolant that was hanging from my lower radiator hose.  Yup.  Again, it didn't fall (even with the engine warmed up and running) but the fact that it was there...

It doesn't get much better.

A wire is broken on my trailer plug

he says my park brake is weak, and my manual side driver's window is hard to roll down (I told him the solution would be a gym membership), and the list goes on.

He didn't like that I didn't have door cards installed (I'll fab something up)

He didn't like that I had the KC lights on (I told him they're covered)

There's more, but honestly I can't remember it all

But it is what it is.  I'll wipe off the oil, order parts, and the truck will be that much better for it.  I've already sent off a list to Mrs. Hungary, so once approved we'll get some packages headed this way (fingers crossed for those Bilstein shocks, yo)

Good times.

Oof. Sounds like you met some kind of would-be alpha dog who wanted to impress you with his authority.

On the idler arm: bullfeathers. Bushings are available. Joker may not know that, or may be trying to assert dominance, or who knows what.  Anyway, replace the bushings and slam the assembly in the Hungarian equivalent of Great Value semi-gloss spray paint, and tell him it's new. That's all the rebuilders do anyway.

I'll try to get part numbers later. Ping me if you need any other Toyota part numbers or their Rock Auto equivalents.

Is it too late to take back to the original station to redo the inspection station, or even approve your fixes, or does it now have to be finished out at this station?

Also: I'm excited to have won the Ukraine patches! They'll be a great complement to my Dnipro Express sticker and Kisgorbo poster.

DarkMonohue said:

On the idler arm: bullfeathers. Bushings are available. <snip> I'll try to get part numbers later. Ping me if you need any other Toyota part numbers or their Rock Auto equivalents.

Toyota part number on the  bushings is 90386-18002. They are sold individually, so order two. Or you can get a pair at Rock Auto under 1014356.

The dust seal is 90304-31012. I don't see an aftermarket equivalent listed.

All of the above is comically cheap. Surprisingly, so are aftermarket idler arm assemblies at RA, if you prefer that route.

I've discussed what happened with a couple Hungarians now, and we're unanimous.  Dude was trying to get me to pay for all the repairs, and wasn't expecting me to drive off and do it myself.  Unfortunately, I can not go to my original station now and will have to get it passed through this guy.  It's annoying, but no problem.  I've run into this before and have beaten better with less

I found almost everything I needed on RockAuto and placed the order.  Caliper seal kits, idler arm assy (pretty cheap, actually), and the whole works.

The Bilstein shocks, I ordered through Summit racing (who also had idler arm bushings)!  I ordered only one of those, DarkMonohue (as I didn't see your post until just now).

The headache is going to be my amber corner markers (the ones that broke during the Bamako run).  This guy is adamant that they need to be clear and not amber.  I showed him the Toyota part number on the lenses and he wouldn't budge...  He tried to claim that I imported the truck from the US, and that's why they were amber but I was able to show him a photo of the Swiss owners manual that I had on my phone to prove that it was always a Euro vehicle (I mean, nevermind the speedometer is in kms and not miles).  He still wouldn't budge.

To get around it, I eventually found some clear/amber corner markers in THAILAND that are headed this way (none of the aftermarket clear lenses I found in the US would ship to Hungary).  But the problem is they could take forever to get here...  (oh, and I need to modify my wiring to accept two bulbs at those corners now too.  I found pigtails for exactly that on ebay and bought them too)

All in all, kind of an irritating way to spend $700.  I was trying to save up for a roof rack or a winch bumper for the front of the truck.  Maybe next time

To cheer us up, I found this picture from our last run.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

ooh!  that bushing for the idler arm?  I found exactly one crack in the rubber.

I think we must have stumbled across the most thorough inspector in the entire country (like seriously, how do the Ladas and Trabants pass???).

Good times.

Good morning everyone, and happy Monday!

So, we're starting this week very much where we left off last week, but I had two bits of good news I thought I'd share first.

1) Our "Adopt a Medic" fund is sitting right at $840 right now, so it more than doubled in balance just last week!

2) We have a website!!!

 Ok, on that second one I have to admit that I am 100% still working on things but Mrs. Hungary and I did purchase the web domain for "DniproExpress" and I did publish a website that is very much under construction.  But enough of that, check it out here!

https://DniproExpress.com

And with that new website, I can add it to our "Currently Open" section!

Our very new website:  DniproExpress.com

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

Julia, our "adopted" medic:  Yahoo paypal address, or at the following link:  https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/913PfoE8w2

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

Currently being worked on:

Freight forwarding:  I've cast some lines out into the pool but nothing's biting.  I haven't given up and hopefully will have something for us sooner rather than later.

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.

Websight!  Mrs. Hungary and I purchased the "Dnipro Express" domain name and are currently in work on building a website to try to make our effort look a little more "professional" to those outside of our GRM family.  We're hoping to go live soon, so more to follow on that one.

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!

On the homefront, I got the wood pile moved to its correct location, and stacked neatly.  With the firewood out of the way, I was able to get the truck into position.

Once staged, I set about making a list:

This afternoon, Mrs Hungary reported that three boxes arrived from Rock Auto.

Here goes Nothin!

Hi everyone!!!

Driven5 was drawn for VikkiDp's Patches (photo below)

And Wally was drawn for VikkiDp's post cards from Ukraine!

Thank you guys for your help and support!!! and thanks to all the other guys too!!! 

My gratitude in the form of modest prizes is on its way to you 

In reply to VikkiDp :

Hey, perfect timing!  I just got Don Fip's box in the mail as well!