This is how Haarlem Collection became big within a week: “Started with a few bags”

At the new location she now works daily with a team of volunteers to ensure that the Haarlem Collection campaign runs smoothly and that the goods arrive safely in Poland and Ukraine. For example, people receive the items outside and they are sorted inside and put in boxes. In the back of the building is a large storage area until a transport truck takes it. Then a number of strong hands are used to fill the trucks.

Ivanchenko still can’t quite grasp what has been set up in just over a week. “It normally takes months to start a business like this,” she says in disbelief. Because the team has many volunteers who are currently free, this could be achieved. “Two weeks ago we were strangers to each other, now it seems as if we have been working together for years. We are so well attuned to each other. I am very proud of everyone who contributes. It is really fantastic.”

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Since it start of the action Eliane Chen has been involved. “Within a week there is so much more structure. If you see where we to come from, the difference is huge.” Chen is now present daily to coordinate the volunteers. “We all have our own task within the team and that is going very well. The property has also become a nice social point. People come by and ask how things are going. Then they hang around for a chat.”

One of the volunteers who has been helping since this week is Sophie Chedi. She quit her job to commit herself full-time, which she believes was a well-considered choice. “When the war broke out, I thought it was terribly unfair and I couldn’t concentrate in the office anymore. My colleagues didn’t talk about it and I hated it so much that I had to stop. I can’t pretend that nothing is wrong “People are dying, so I’ll stay here for as long as it takes. Then I’ll look for a new job.”

For the second time this week, Getrude Blum is standing behind one of the tables with boxes to sort things. “At the moment I’m looking for a job, so I thought: I’ll just block three mornings.” She found out about the action through a neighborhood app. “It feels really nice to do something concrete instead of just giving money. You feel so powerless. I just hope this won’t be necessary for too long.”

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The items that are collected are now mainly for Ukrainian refugees and orphans in border areas with the country, such as Poland. “But sometimes we also manage to get into Ukraine.” Every day, very specific lists come in with goods that are now in need, according to Ivanchenko. “We work closely with the organizations in Poland and also have short lines with organizations in Ukraine. Our team includes people who speak the different languages, so that is no obstacle either.”

In addition to collecting goods, Haarlem Collection has also started collecting money. Within a few days, more than 10,000 euros had been donated. Among other things, this bought a number of ambulances that today drove to Kiev with medical supplies, including many wound care products and bandages.

Next big project

In addition, the team is also committed to the Ukrainians who flee to the Netherlands and end up here in the region. “We are also going to collect things for refugees who come to Haarlem. We are currently working hard on starting a long-term and large-scale project.” Ivanchenko cannot say exactly what that means. “We will announce more about that soon.”

Ivanchenko himself comes from Kherson, in the south of Ukraine. Her family still lives there. “I was so eager to help. That’s why I thought of sending some stuff to the country. Just a few bags,” says Ivanchenko. “But now we help so many people with this. I never would have dreamed that this would become so big, and that makes me proud. We have made so many connections and brought people together, real friendships are formed.”