{"id":18582,"date":"2023-03-16T12:10:18","date_gmt":"2023-03-16T16:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=18582"},"modified":"2023-12-21T10:49:00","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T15:49:00","slug":"ukraine-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/ukraine-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Two Young Alums Doing Hands-On Relief Work in Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">The best friends recently marked one year since they left their East Coast lives for a humanitarian aid mission to Eastern Europe<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By <strong>Lindsay Lennon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">It was a Saturday morning in Kyiv in March 2023. Just days earlier, the Russian invasion had reached its grim one-year mark. Dillon Carroll \u201920 and Mark Kreynovich \u201920, BS \u201919, were observing a different, though directly related milestone: the one-year anniversary of their arrival in Eastern Europe, in an impromptu effort to <a href=\"https:\/\/news.cornell.edu\/stories\/2022\/03\/recent-grads-mission-support-ukraine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">aid Ukrainians<\/a> impacted by the conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s not one family that has been untouched by the war,\u201d observes Kreynovich\u2014stressing that in addition to the physical violence and infrastructure damage, people\u2019s day-to-day lives have been enormously affected. \u201cIf you are not yourself actively involved in it or living in a population center that is directly impacted, then your cousin is fighting, or your uncle is fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Two men walking through Kharkiv, Ukraine among buildings damaged in war.\" class=\"wp-image-18588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv16-A-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Among damaged buildings in Kharkiv.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Carroll and Kreynovich are best friends and former Cornell roommates; they were even born on the same day in February 1998. The aid organization they founded, originally known as Mission to Ukraine, is now called <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.missionforukraine.org\">Mission For Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Much of their past year has been spent in hands-on relief work\u2014procuring, sorting, packing, and delivering medicine, food rations, and other crucial supplies across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among other accomplishments, they\u2019ve secured housing for Ukrainian refugees in Poland; funded mobile medical units, ambulances, and warming centers in communities without reliable heat or electricity; and helped renew licenses for Ukrainian pharmaceutical manufacturers whose credentials lapsed during the invasion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-style-default rkv-gutter-bottom-quarter\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 70%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Since its launch, M2U has raised more than $600,000, which is being spent on projects that Carroll and Kreynovich personally oversee with trusted partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019ve logged more than 27,000 miles, some of them perilous: during one medical supply delivery to Kharkiv, a rocket exploded less than half a mile away.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Ukrainians sort through humanitarian supply deliveries\" class=\"wp-image-18585 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/d318f42c-401e-448f-825f-62ebdfdcae62-A-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Ukrainian colleagues distributing supplies.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe operate on this quick feedback loop,\u201d says Kreynovich, an ILR alum, \u201cwhere we\u2019re constantly talking to our partners and can actively allocate cash and other resources to projects that matter in the immediate moment.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recently, Carroll and Kreynovich have turned their attention to helping repair damaged infrastructure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For their first major project, they installed windows in 14 apartments in Kharkiv that had been pummeled by artillery and ballistic missiles, whether through aftershocks or direct hits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A group of men unloading supplies from a truck on a city road.\" class=\"wp-image-18590\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/mission2u-kharkiv30-A-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Much of the pair\u2019s time is spent packing, transporting, and delivering essential items.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you\u2019re living on the East Coast right now, turn off your heat, open half the windows in your house, and lower all the shades; that\u2019s how hundreds of thousands of people are having to live every day,\u201d explains Carroll, a New Jersey native who majored in history in Arts &amp; Sciences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s not to mention the air raid sirens, the curfew, and the existential fear that comes with living in a place that\u2019s targeted by the Russian army. And until help comes, they don\u2019t have much of a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>There\u2019s not one family that has been untouched by the war.<\/p>\n<cite><strong>Mark Kreynovich \u201920, BS \u201919<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>For Kreynovich, who grew up in Baltimore, the mission is deeply personal: he was born in Kharkiv and returned every summer from childhood through college to visit his family. In 2018, Carroll joined him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After Russia invaded, Kreynovich recalls, he constantly called to check on his grandfather; when they suddenly lost contact, he put out a desperate plea via Instagram. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A PhD student in Munich who was originally from Kharkiv offered to ask a friend to check on the older man\u2014a risky move in an area encircled by Russian troops. Fortunately, the stranger found him safe in his apartment, and brought him a portable charger for his phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A man being interviewed by a TV journalist in front of a mobile medical van.\" class=\"wp-image-18587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_9370-A-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kreynovich being interviewed about M2U\u2019s work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The effort to reconnect Kreynovich with his grandfather\u2014via the bravery and kindness of everyday people\u2014inspired him and Carroll. What could they accomplish for Ukraine if they went to Europe themselves?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The two landed in Vienna, Austria, in February 2022, with a plan to raise $5,000 and stay for a week. When their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spotfund.com\/story\/ba50d4dc-e126-4a38-9535-d8e867a8ff97?SFID=missiontoukraine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpotFund<\/a> garnered double that amount in 24 hours, they headed to Krakow to assist refugee families who\u2019d crossed the border into Poland\u2014and soon realized that help was needed on the ground inside Ukraine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Setting aside their careers in technology (Carroll) and finance (Kreynovich), they decided to stay indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Large white sandbags spell the word help on a sidewalk in Kyiv, Ukraine\" class=\"wp-image-18586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/IMG_0087-A-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A plea to the world, spelled out in a square in Kyiv.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey chose to make their own path,\u201d says Dillon\u2019s mother, Kathleen Dillon Carroll \u201985, MBA \u201986. \u201cIt has great uncertainty, but you can see how happy, sincere, and motivated they are. That\u2019s what life is about: to know love and to serve others. I take my nervous energy and put it into their dream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that M2U is an established organization based in Kyiv, Carroll and Kreynovich have no plans to leave\u2014aside from the occasional break to recharge with their families in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt would have been incredibly difficult to clean our hands and go home and say, \u2018Good luck,\u2019\u201d says Kreynovich. \u201cSo we did not do that. We will continue working, as long as the need is there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top: Kreynovich (left) and Carroll on a supply run.<\/em> <em>All photos provided.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Published March 16, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The best friends recently marked one year since they left their East Coast lives for a humanitarian aid mission to Eastern Europe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":18591,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[18371,16187,16551],"footnotes":""},"categories":[229],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-18582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meet Two Young Alums Doing Hands-On Relief Work in Ukraine - 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