Mayor’s Blog

Mayor’s Blog | Ukraine | March 8, 2022

Friends and neighbors of Paso Robles:

Paso Robles Steve Martin delivers message of support for Ukraine in this Mayor’s Blog.

Mayor Steve Martin

When I announced I would resume my video messages to our community I assumed I would begin by addressing the local issues of public safety, street repair, homelessness and economic development including the exciting new opportunity of creating a spaceport at our airport.

The world, it seems, had other plans.

Today, Russia’s Vladimir Putin has made international issues local issues. I want to talk to you about Ukraine.

Before I begin, please know that I don’t care what your political affiliation is. I don’t care how you feel about Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump. Masking and vaccine issues are secondary today. What I do care about is how long we will have to debate these issues if the international situation worsens.

Today I have proposed to the Mayors of San Luis Obispo County that we stand together on this issue, condemning the criminal attacks on the sovereign nation and people of Ukraine and supporting all efforts to shorten this war and offer comfort to the Ukrainian people. I will ask them and our own City Council to support a resolution to that effect. For the good of our world, our nation and our city I ask you to put aside differences and find ways to support this resolution.

Below you will find a list of ways you can help. If you know of others, please share.

We can fight among ourselves another day. Today, let us support the bravery of Ukraine and realize that in the 21st Century, every country borders every other.

Until we blog again, stay informed, stay involved and stay strong, Paso Robles.


United Methodist Global Ministries. United Methodists and others wishing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country may contribute to Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund will provide direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries.

Airbnb.org. Airbnb’s nonprofit is asking people — especially those residing in European nations near Ukraine — to sign up to provide temporary housing for Ukrainian refugees or donate to their stays. The San Francisco-based company is also pledging to shelter up to 100,000 fleeing Ukraine.

CAREThe international humanitarian group is providing food, water and other items to families fleeing violence in Ukraine. Contribute here.

Convoy of Hope. The disaster relief group says it’s partnering with a local Polish organization to provide meals to refugees entering Poland, as well as to deliver food, water and other basics across the region. Donate here.

CORE. The emergency response nonprofit is on the ground in Poland, distributing hygiene kits and thermal blankets, as well as emergency cash assistance to help families resettle. Contribute here.

Doctors Without Borders. Staffers with the medical relief organization remain in Ukraine and are “seeking ways to respond to the medical and humanitarian needs as the conflict evolves.” Offer support here.

International Committee of the Red Cross. The Swiss-based organization is supporting the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross in helping those impacted by the war. Donate to the ICRC.

International Medical Corps. The first responders’ organization has teams inside Ukraine and in the surrounding regions to offer medical and mental health services. Link to contribute.

Internews. Supports independent media and at-risk journalists in 100 countries, with regional hubs including in Kyiv. Donate here.

“Keep Ukraine’s media going”is a GoFundMe campaign for journalists around Ukraine that also aims to help reporters relocate and continue their work from neighboring countries. Donations can be made here

Kyiv Independent. The English-language news site has launched a GoFundMe campaign asking for support.

The 762 ProjectVolunteers have been collecting, analyzing and posting information about Russia’s troop buildup along Ukraine’s border for much of the past year. Support the project here.

Project Hope. The global health and humanitarian relief organization is on the ground in and around Ukraine delivering medicines and medical supplies. It has teams in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and Romania. Donate here.

Romania Update: Live from the Border by Project HOPE on YouTube

Razom for UkraineStarted in 2014 and devoted to building a stronger democracy in Ukraine, the nonprofit is now “focused on purchasing medical supplies for critical situations like blood loss and other tactical medicine items.” Here’s a list of supplies it has purchased already and an appeal for more support

Sunflower of Peace. The nonprofit’s current mission involves providing medical and humanitarian aid to people impacted by violence in Ukraine. It’s accepting donations through its Facebook page. 

UNICEFThe global group devoted to safeguarding children is working to provide humanitarian supplies to families without safe water or electricity due to the conflict. Contributions can be made here.

United Way Worldwide. The world’s biggest privately funded nonprofit has set up a relief fund in response to the intensifying humanitarian crisis to provide transportation, shelter, food and medicine, including infant supplies such as baby formula. Donations to the United for Ukraine Fund can be made here.

Voices of Children. The Ukraine-based charitable foundation has been offering psychological counseling, including art therapy, for children affected by war in the country’s east since 2015, according to its site. The group is currently helping children and families across Ukraine, including helping with evacuations.

World Central Kitchen. Founded by world-renowned chef José Andrés after an earthquake devastated Haiti in 2010, the group provides meals to people in need around the globe. Andrés is now feeding Ukrainian refugees at the Polish border. Those wanting to help finance the group can do so here