”America First doesn't mean America alone.” Alona Matchenko, founder of Toledo Helps Ukraine, on why a Northwest Ohio nonprofit can help both.

She came to Toledo ten years ago on a State Department exchange program, working as a nanny. She had eight years of teaching behind her in Ukraine, but she went to law school here instead, because ”in order to learn this country, you better learn the law.” She was a second-year student at UT Law in February 2022 when Russia launched the full-scale invasion.

Toledo Helps Ukraine came out of that. It started with rallies, then aid she delivered herself to hospitals and military bases. Then came the relocation of 67 people in 18 families to Northwest Ohio. Now it runs a ten-day exchange that brings Ukrainian civic and government leaders to meet the mayor, city council and UT Law. It isn't a pathway to move here: ”We don't want them to immigrate. We want them to go back and implement what they learn here.”

Guest host Angela Douglas talks with her about:

• Why international relationships can start at the community level
• The three public events on September 25, including a free session with the delegation
• Drones that carry medicine, not weapons
• What they still need, including expired medical supplies
• The one thing she wants changed a year from now

CHAPTERS0:00 Intro — Angela Douglas and Alona Matchenko0:26 ”Toledo chose me” — nanny, teacher, law student2:14 Why Toledo Helps Ukraine exists4:20 Six Ukrainian leaders, ten days, this September6:02 ”We don't want them to immigrate”7:24 ”America First doesn't mean America alone”11:27 Event 1 — the free public session, September 2512:51 Event 2 — the ”Grand Vision, Shared Legacy” gala14:39 Event 3 — the Sandpiper boat ride16:19 Who the delegates meet in Toledo17:08 How to help — ”From Surplus to Survival”19:07 Drones that carry medicine, not weapons20:04 February 2022 — the day everything changed22:25 67 people, 18 families, and phase three24:51 Sponsor a meal for the delegation26:29 What they still need30:04 ”I can never be as proud of Toledo”31:29 One year from now: end the war

FIND TOLEDO HELPS UKRAINE

• Events, tickets and the donation list: https://4ua.org
• Sponsorships and large donations: [email protected]

MORE FROM MAKE IT HAPPEN

• Watch every episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbj7sGyUoAfQQaez8O0GXlFValt60huXU
• Follow the show on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakeItHappen419

Recorded at House of Coffee in Toledo, Ohio.

Make It Happen is a podcast by Mike Vanderpool, talking to cool people doing cool things.