Governor, First Lady visit Greene Co. donation drive for Ukrainian refugees

XENIA TWP. — Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine visited a donation drive for Ukrainian refugees Friday in Xenia Township.

The drive happened at EMERGE Recovery and Trade Initiative, where volunteers loaded up donations to ship out to Ukrainian refugees.

“This represents people of the Miami Valley coming together and trying to make a difference,” Gov. DeWine said.

The governor and first lady came with their own box of donations.

“I brought mostly things for children,” Fran DeWine said.

EMERGE’s building has been used as the storage sport for donations before they’re shipped off. The organization helps people in recovery and kids coming out of foster care.

They partnered with DeCoach Rehab Center and Matthew 25, a Cincinnati-based humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization, for the donation drive.

The governor said people who have donated are an example of Ohioans helping others in a time of need.

“When we watch these horrible pictures on TV and the great tragedy, I think the first thing you think is ‘ Is there anything I can do? What can I do?’ And this is really the answer. This is an opportunity for people to come forward and give things,” Gov. DeWine said.

Donations will be accepted at EMERGE, located at 2960 West Enon Road, through April 15.

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