Orland Park Fills Semi-Truck With Donations For Ukrainians

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park residents and officials filled an entire semi-truck with material and cash donations for Ukrainian refugees at a donation drive last week.

According to village officials, residents came together to give toys, hygiene products, clothes, water bottles and other necessities to be shipped to refugees in Poland who have escaped Russian attacks.

"As a community, Orland Park has always come through for others as we are a community of generous, caring and compassionate people," Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau said in a statement.

Donations were accepted Mar. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Village Hall. Monetary donations and Amazon wishlist orders were also accepted before the event.

Cash donations totaled over $11,000. Of the cash donations, a trio of brothers made the drive their own by making yellow and blue pots and selling them around their neighborhood to raise over $300 for the cause.

"As kids it is hard to do big things, but even little things can make a difference," wrote 11-year-old Luke Cudney of the pottery sales.

The trailer will be to refugees in about a week, Pekau said.