Want To Help Out Ukraine? Here's How You Can In Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Nearly 1.5 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, due to the conflict with Russia, and are in need of basic necessities. Union County is asking residents to donate supplies as part of a relief effort to help Ukraine.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office have partnered to organize a county-wide donation drive for the people of Ukraine. A donation box is now available in the lobby of all Union County law enforcement agencies — 24 locations in total.

People are encouraged to bring donations of first aid supplies, toiletries, flashlights, blankets, batteries, clothing, shoes, diapers, formula and more. The program will run for the foreseeable future, as long as continued aid is needed.

The Prosecutor's Office said this donation drive is made possible through a partnership with law enforcement and local Polish and Ukrainian organizations.

“In support of the international effort to aid Ukraine, we encourage Union County residents to help ensure that life-sustaining emergency supplies reach those in desperate need of assistance,” Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams said.

Union County Prosecutor William Daniel also said he is grateful to the police chiefs and directors in the county for committing to this initiative.

“Police departments are at the heart of every community, positioning them as the perfect location for members of the public to come together in support of the Ukrainian people,” Daniel said.

Detective Dariusz Tokarz, who coordinated the collection event, said he was eager to find a way to help his own community.

“As a Polish immigrant, and an active member of the Polish and Ukrainian communities in Union County, I was eager to find a way for the County’s law enforcement community to provide humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian refugees," Tokarz said.

Drop-off boxes will be available in the lobbies of the following police departments:

• Berkeley Heights
• Clark
• Cranford
• Fanwood
• Garwood
• Hillside
• Kenilworth
• Linden
• Mountainside
• New Providence
• Plainfield
• Rahway
• Roselle
• Roselle Park
• Scotch Plains
• Springfield
• Summit
• Union
• Westfield
• Winfield

Additional drop-off locations will be available in the lobbies of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the Union County Police Department, the Kean University Police Department and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.