PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- As people in Ukraine recognized their Independence Day and also the six month mark of Russia’s invasion this week (Aug. 24, 2022), a woman from Pierre is planning her first trip back to the country since the fighting began.

Nataliya (na-TAL-ya) Rezek (ree-zk) moved to Pierre about 11 years ago, but still has family and friends in Ukraine. She says people in her hometown (Chernivtsi) in western Ukraine have gotten used to the sounds of war.

Rezek, who is a Registered Nurse, will be traveling to Ukraine in early September and staying for about a month. She’s hoping to have some desperately needed medications to take with her.

Rezek says people in the Pierre and Fort Pierre area are continuously offering ways to help her with her mission.

The war makes travel to and around Ukraine dangerous, but Rezek feels the need to help the country’s soldiers and citizens.

Rezek is also accepting financial donations to help pay for the cost of mailing supplies from Pierre to Ukraine. She says an average box costs about $210 to ship and arrives in 2-3 weeks.

Find information about donating medications for Rezek to take with her by going to her Facebook page or by calling or texting 605-770-5967.