11-Year-Old West Chester Girl Spearheads Drive For Ukrainian Children

WEST CHESTER —When 11-year-old Olivia Ward watched television news showing sad children with backpacks fleeing Ukraine, she told her mom she wanted to help them.

“I really wanted to do something to help them,” Olivia said on Tuesday afternoon, sharing her experience collecting a truck load of toiletries, stuffed animals and other items for the children of Ukraine.

“She just couldn’t believe it,” Olivia’s mother, Sarah said. “She wanted to send them Girl Scout cookies.”

At the time, Olivia was selling cookies for Girl Scout Troop 41126 in West Chester.

But when Olivia thought more about it, she realized these children were in need of basic supplies.

The Stetson Middle School sixth-grader said she learned about the Ukrainian War in geography class.

Olivia and her mother connected with a group of Rustin High School volunteers that was collecting items for the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, based in Philadelphia. The items were then flown to Poland, where many Ukrainians are seeking refuge.

Olivia organized a collection drive, contacting friends, family, neighbors and others for diapers, formula, stuffed animals and other useful items for the Ukrainian children.

The children and their mothers are fleeing to Poland. Their fathers and husbands are required to remain in Ukraine.

Joy in collections

The drive went on for about a month.

Olivia said her most memorable part about the drive was getting so many donations.

“I would go to the door (of her house) and say, ‘We got another donation’,” Olivia said. “I’d open it up, and see what the people were giving. It was exciting.”

Olivia’s mom said she was so proud of her daughter’s desire to help.

Olivia said she would be willing to do another drive.

“I hope people remember, and people realize what is going on in Ukraine,” Olivia said. “They need help.”