August Mission travels to Poland to help refugees
Mar 8, 2022, 12:09 PM | Updated: Jun 19, 2022, 9:37 pm
KORCZOWA, POLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Women and children refugees from Ukraine arrive at a temporary shelter on February 28, 2022 near Korczowa, Poland. Polish authorities were transporting hundreds of war refugees from the Korczowa border crossing to the shelter today, where most of the arrives either boarded buses heading elsewhere in Poland or left with waiting family members from the Ukrainian diaspora. According to the United Nations, Poland has so far received 281,000 refugees from Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24. Meanwhile, battles are raging across Ukraine between Ukrainian armed forces and the invading Russian army. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — August Mission, a nonprofit group based in Utah, has traveled to places like Afghanistan to help people escaping conflict. Their latest mission takes them to another part of the world facing a humanitarian crisis – Poland.
They are boarding a flight Tuesday afternoon out of the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Nick Fowler, a retired firefighter, is part of the two-man crew heading out to Poland.
“This is what we call our team box,” Fowler said. “This is everything we need to support a team of four in the field.”
August Mission was founded by Bruce Roberts – a retired military officer, who wanted to repurpose himself by taking on meaningful missions. First, Afghanistan and now the Ukraine-Poland border.
“We have people from the humanitarian world. We have former first responders and firefighters. We have a lot of military veterans.”
They’ve been keeping an eye on the humanitarian crisis in Poland and are ready to get to work.
“Right now, our initial team is getting on the ground really to do a good needs assessment and try to find what the specific needs of the refugee population are,” said Roberts.
Donors have hooked them up with essentials, like solar panels, cooking supplies, medical kits and satellite communications.
Teton Sports is outfitting them with sleeping bags and tents and matching donations up to $40,000.
“This is definitely a passion project for them,” said Brandon Harris, creative director for Teton Sports.
A testament that Utahns can help make a difference.
“Seeing the world come together in their response to human need is just great,” said Fowler.
The team will be in Poland for at least three weeks assessing needs, and the plan is to send more personnel and reinforcements.
You can follow their journey on social media and for info on how you can donate to August Mission, visit augustmission.org.
