They collect weapons and help: how residents of small towns in the state of New York help Ukraine

Residents of Ukraine are supported not only in the megacities of America. film crew Denis Cheredov's project "On duty in New York" went to the small town of Franklin Square. Journalists did not even have to persuade people of different professions to answer questions.

The film crew went to a small town in the state of New York - Franklin Square. Its population is about 30 thousand people, from the city of New York - about 40 minutes drive.

Mayor of Nassau County in New York State Bruce Blakeman took the podium and made an official statement in support of Ukraine. The official invited residents of Long Island to join a special campaign to collect weapons for the Ukrainian army. You can donate your rifles or shotguns at SP Fireguns in downtown Franklin Square.

US veteran Al Sanders sent sets of warm clothes to Ukraine instead of firearms. He believes that now the affected people need any help. Until now, the resident of Franklin Square had nothing to do with Ukraine, but, having learned about the war, the man immediately understood which side he was on.

“I'm a former military man and I know what it's like to defend the interests of my country,” he explains. “I was at home when the war started and I was watching the news. As soon as the first bombings began, I jumped in the car and drove to the gas station, because I knew that because of this conflict here in the USA, gasoline prices would rise first of all.

On the subject: International Legion: Americans told how they are fighting in Ukraine and why they went there

Al believes that the situation will only get worse.

“Things will get worse. Perhaps the 3rd World War will begin, now everything can be expected. Putin acts absolutely unpredictably,” he concluded.

In this town, it seems that every passer-by knows where to carry humanitarian aid for Ukrainians. The Franklin Square Library organized a fundraiser almost as soon as fighting broke out in Ukraine.

The director of the library, Aviva Bakein, admits that one can hardly find books by Ukrainian writers in the reading room, and there are no Russian-speaking visitors here either. But when a New York charity offered to help fundraise, the neighborhood library immediately agreed.

“I believe that events such as the war in Ukraine are a global tragedy, like the September 11 attacks or the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, people in the most remote corners are excited and try to somehow help. But it is very important to say that we are now urging everyone to be careful about those organizations that collect money, so as not to stumble upon scammers, ”Bacain warned.

Now the library accepts warm clothes, diapers, backpacks, blankets and first aid kits.

“A library is a place of democracy where people with different views meet, and here they can calmly discuss it, discuss it, here everyone can not be afraid to be themselves - and I dream that every person on the planet lives in just such a society, such freedom. I wish both Ukrainians and Russians,” says the library director.

On one of the main streets of the city of Franklin Square, in the windows of shops and cafes, you can almost always see some kind of signs, posters, statements that demonstrate the attitude of local residents to events. And now, of course, there are many Ukrainian flags there.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

A symbol of support for Ukrainians and those who oppose this war appeared on the window of a flower shop on February 24, and this surprised even the workers of the flower shop.

“When I came to work, I asked our boss Paul what is it? After all, I didn’t even know what the Ukrainian flag looked like. And he explained to me that he decided in this way to show everyone who was affected by the war that the Ukrainians are not alone, that the Americans are also worried about them. Now I understand that in such difficult situations, we must stick together,” said florist Susan Wilmensan.

And recently, an unfamiliar girl looked into the store where she works. It turned out that the customer has both Ukrainian and Russian roots.

“She told me that part of her family is in Moscow, and the other is in Kyiv, and asked a bouquet for his girlfriend - also Ukrainian by nationality. I made it in yellow and blue,” said Susan.