ELLSWORTH – The Hearts and Minds group at Ellsworth High School is aiming to assist students in Ukraine by sending school supplies and comfort items to a pair of Ukrainian schools during a time of conflict.

According to Anne Pechacek, a social studies teacher at Ellsworth High School, the Hearts and Minds group goes into action when there is a need, and they found that need in Ukraine. The group has done projects in the past, sending supplies to Afghanistan, Iraq and Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, where Afghan refugees were at the time, Pechacek said.

“To ensure that children in Ukraine have access to the basic necessities they need to thrive and feel safe,” the group’s mission states.

Multiple members of the group share the belief that they want to help make a difference because of the privilege of safety and security in their everyday lives.

“Here we have that security where we don’t have to worry about having to run into the basement or not having electricity for multiple days,” student Axel Simonson said. “We kind of had the privilege of growing up and being able to be safe.”

The group combined their interest in making a difference in Ukraine with the connections that Ellsworth Community School District Special Education Coordinator Melinda Casper has to try to help Ukraine any way they can. Casper’s stepmother, Valentyna Benson, is originally from Ukraine. Her two children and grandchildren still live there.

Maya Bueso, an Ellsworth High School student, said service projects, like the one the group is currently doing, allow students to help make a difference from across the world.

A fundraiser was held in which people could place a bid that would result in a member of the school’s staff taking a pie to the face. Through the pies, about $400 was raised to help match the costs of the project.

Student Andrea Esterby said the fundraiser was helpful, but there is still help needed in order for the project to meet the lofty shipping costs and other project costs.

Ways to donate include writing a check to EHS Hearts and Minds at 323 Hillcrest St. Ellsworth, WI. 54011. to aid shipping costs or purchasing supplies from the Amazon wish list the group has created at  

“To be able to help kids on the other side of the world is crazy,” Maleah Petersen said. “Just a little thing like that would mean a lot to these kids.”

Aubrey Wittenberg, a student at the high school, said any donation of supplies or money helps, and urged the community to contribute any way they can.