Intandem Foundation Supports Disabled Citizens in Ukraine Region | News
OLEAN — Intandem, one of Western New York’s leading developmental disability support and service providers, provides assistance to people with disabilities in war-torn areas of Ukraine by supporting labor of the local association Positive Ripples and its European partner, MAD-Aide.
Positive Ripples is a joint effort of several clubs and groups at Saint Bonaventure University, including BonaResponds, to make the world a better place by creating waves of hope, knowledge and kindness around the world.
MAD-Aid runs programs in the UK and Moldova that ‘make a difference’ in the lives of Moldovan children and adults with special needs.
Mari Howard, President and CEO of Intandem, learned from Professor Bonaventure, Dr. Jim Mahar, leader of Positive Ripples, that many families with children with disabilities were isolated without resources because there were no transport to bring wheelchair users safely to the Ukraine-Moldova border.
There was an opportunity to acquire a used wheelchair accessible van, but this was only possible if an $11,000 donation could be secured.
Howard shared this story with the Intandem Foundation Board, which immediately approved an $11,000 spend for Positive Ripples, which in turn sent the money to MAD-Aid in Moldova.
The van has been purchased and is now operational. It is used to transport families with disabled and non-disabled children to safety, as well as to distribute emergency and humanitarian aid to other families in need. This van will continue to transport disabled children, young people and the elderly for as long as necessary.
“As an agency that works daily to support people with disabilities, at Intandem we cannot ignore the plight of so many families and children with disabilities who have been marginalized by the fighting in their countries and regions,” said Larry Sorokes, Intandem’s Director of Development. Officer. “When made aware of both the situation and a potential remedy, the Intandem Foundation Board took immediate action.
MAD-aid consultant/volunteer Francisca de Zwager expressed her gratitude to Mahar and Positive Ripples, for linking with Intandem, and to the Intandem Foundation for responding quickly and generously to help people with disabilities who have been uprooted. and endangered by the recent violence. in Ukraine.
“At MAD-Aid, we believe it’s true that with a small act of kindness, waves of hope and impact are created that spread slowly but go far,” said de Zwager. “Please join us in thanking Jim Mahar and Positive Ripples for finding a way to connect with Intandem, and immense gratitude to Intandem’s foundation, which supports people with developmental disabilities and behavioral health issues. in the counties of Cattaraugus and Niagara.”