The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in communities coming together. A Clairemont neighborhood unites to help the refugees waiting in line in Tijuana. The initiative received support from many and made it possible for donations to Calvary San Diego, a church assisting refugees.
Donations For Refugees, Calvary Church San Diego
As reported on ABC 10, some residents in a Clairemont neighborhood are coming together to reach out to Ukrainian refugees and help in ways they can. The residents aim to help the refugees waiting in line in Tijuana.
Grace Ortega was on her way back to San Diego after some dental work in Mexico, and she witnessed the long line of people waiting at the border.
As stated in the report, the site broke her heart. Thus, it pushed her to the site of Nextdoor to ask for donations.
The call for donations received an overwhelming response. As a result, she and her group delivered ten large bags of donations to Calvary Church San Diego.
Ortega shared on her Facebook account an update about the donations. Last April 2, her group handed its first load of donations at Calvary Church San Diego. These donations include clothing, blankets, and toys for refugees in Tijuana.
Through her Facebook account, she and her group continue with the call to help Ukrainian refugees. Ortega also showed what Calvary Church San Diego is doing to assist these refugees through her Facebook account.
According to her, Calvary Church San Diego has a temporary shelter welcoming refugees and matching them with host families.
Neighbors Unite
According to the same report on ABC 10, some neighbors have signed up to collect more donations. These volunteers made social media posts to encourage others to donate.
Among these neighbors is Stephen Groce. He shared to ABC10 that help extended to people waiting in lines for days and hours will provide hope.
Such an act would make them feel cared for. According to Groce, it is imperative for they might feel alone in times like this.
Ortega also told ABC 10 that they are heading to Tijuana to give items such as blankets, toys, clothing, and books this weekend.
These efforts prove that neighbors coming together can accomplish something, and that’s what they are going to do.
Ukrainian Refugees at Border
According to CBS News, a thousand feet from the United States border and more than 6,000 miles away from their homeland, Ukrainians escaping war eat and sleep on the streets of Tijuana.
As shared in the report, Ukrainians can get a travel visa to Mexico and go on their way to the San Ysidro port of entry.
As stated on CBS News, volunteers are helping Ukrainian refugees at the border. According to these volunteers, about 150 Ukrainians each day have been permitted to enter the U.S. on a humanitarian basis.
There are more coming.
The site of the Tijuana encampment started at the last bus station before it reached the U.S. border. A few days ago, there were only a few dozen people in the area.
However, the number grew significantly. It is now estimated that over 1,000 Ukrainians are waiting in this area.
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