While locals are gearing up for summer, Sequim resident Kate Orz her neighbors and supporters are hoping to make sure her fellow Ukrainians are ready for the winter.

Orz, who has organized numerous local fundraisers to support Ukrainian troops in their now two year-plus-long war with Russia, is helping organize a neighborhood/community garage sale next month to purchase warm winter clothes and more for her friends in a reconnaissance brigade in the Ukraine army.

The sale is set for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21, at 284 Greywolf Road.

“The biggest problem is the economy is shot,” Orz said, and the 80 members of the 92nd Brigade she assists rely on family members and ex-pats to get clothing and other supplies.

This particular fundraiser, Orz said, will look to raise enough money to send each of them at least three sets of thermal socks (“They don’t have the quality we have here,” she said) and two sets of thermal underwear.

Temperatures can drop significantly by October, Orz said, so the fundraiser is being organized with hopefully enough time to purchase and ship the clothing.

Last year, Orz and helpers sent about 3,000 hand/foot warmers. Battalion members came up with an ingenious use for some of the warmers, she said: The battalion’s drones, used to recognizance on enemy troop movements, don’t always work in freezing temperatures, so they strapped warmers to the flying machines.

For the July fundraisers, several neighbors are already chipping in items, and some local artists and furniture craftsmen are donating pieces to the sale, Orz said.

There will be some Ukrainian cuisine to sample for a small donation, she added.

Community members who want to donate items for the sale or to volunteer are encouraged to do so, Orz said. Donations are being accepted now through July 6 at 284 Greywolf Road.

Those with larger items or in general need some assistance with delivery to the garage sale location can either email to fundraiser4ua@gmail.com or call/text Orz at 727-492-6833.

Garage sale organizers ask the donations be good, quality items (no large appliances) and items for the “bake sale.”

Those wishing to volunteer are encouraged to email organizers at fundraiser4ua@gmail.com and let them know availability or desired position (organizing, setting up/breaking down, food prepping, assisting during the event, etc.)

Organizers are also seeking items to be used at the event such as tables, chairs and tents

In addition, those who would like to help promote the event with yard signs are encouraged to contact event organizers who can supply them with a sign or flyer.

“Any dollar that we raise during the event will help a lot of people survive another winter in the difficult conditions of the violent war,” Orz said.

Photo courtesy of Kate Orz / Troops with Ukraine army’s 92nd Brigade look over a drone they use in reconnaissance actions in their year-long war with Russia. Last year, Sequim resident Kate Or and firends sent about 3,000 hand/foot warmers, some of which troops used to keep their drones warm enough to use in freezing temperatures.