04/27/22 Riverwoods State Farm Office Sets up a Free Thrift Store for Ukrainian Refugees

By Olga Renert

Since the beginning of Russia's attack on Ukraine, over four million Ukrainians have had to flee their homes, most of them finding shelter and help in Europe, but some are also coming to the United States and settling in Chicago’s Northwest suburbs.  These people are trying to set up their lives here – some temporarily, until it is safe to return, and others, whose homes were destroyed, with more permanent plans.  All of them are in need of toiletries, kitchen items, blankets and everything else that we are so used to having in our daily lives.  

Andy Niebur, Anna Glavatsky, Natalya Zaretsky, and Irina Bakman from the Riverwoods State Farm Insurance office set up a store where people could donate items for Ukrainian refugees, and those in need shop for free.  “My 3 employees went through a similar situation when they emigrated here from the former USSR, with just the clothes on their backs," says Niebur "so they wanted to find a way to help the recent Ukrainian refugees, knowing how hard it can be coming here with basically nothing.” 

Avalon Realty was kind enough to grant the free use of a large vacant space within Colonial Court right near Niebur's State Farm agency. Glavatsky and Bakman created a Facebook group called "Support Ukrainians in Chicagoland" to solicit donations and recruit volunteers.  Within just a few days people from all over the neighboring suburbs began bringing in clothes, shoes, toys, books, dishes, baby items, as well as racks, hangers, and shelves to display the collected goods.  Among numerous volunteers, were Glavatsky's and Bakman's children who worked tirelessly to help sort and organize donated items. Their dedication enabled refugees to shop for free and leave with the items they desperately needed to feel a little more secure in this new country.  

The most frequently shopped items are posted within the Facebook group and typically replenished within a few days by generous donors. Irene Kohut is a volunteer who was born in the US to Ukrainian parents.  When she saw a social media post about this store, she brought over 13 carloads of donations that she had initially collected for Ukraine.  She has since been coming to the store almost daily to help sort, display and order more supplies.  “Yesterday I spoke with a mom from Bucha which is where hundreds of civilians were victims of a historic massacre at the beginning of April.  She talked about getting her kids out of that horrific situation because her brother from Wheeling bought them all plane tickets to come here. I was able to speak Ukrainian with her and help her find things for herself and her family.  The outpouring of donations has been incredible in this community.  Everyone wants to do something. The store gives them the opportunity and the Ukrainian refugees are beyond grateful."

The donation site is located at 1127 Milwaukee Ave. in Riverwoods. It is open Monday thru Friday 9 to 5 plus Saturday 10 to 1. For more information, please call the State Farm office at 847-215-2030 or check the Facebook group, "Support Ukrainians in Chicagoland" to see a current donation request list.