APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — In the Fox Valley, two local businesses are using what’s at their disposal to show support for people in Ukraine.
The Boldt Company is providing more than 13,000 safety glasses to protect civilians against shrapnel injuries – a $15,000 donation.
“You kinda think, in a war situation, what would that actually mean? And, apparently, one of the things they need are safety glasses, and the type that they’re requesting are bulletproof,” CEO Tom Boldt explained.
That’s something Boldt says he would’ve never thought the safety glasses, worn by his employees, typically at construction sites, would be needed for.
With the help of its supplier, they were now able to get them out to Ukrainians.
Breadsmith of Appleton also couldn’t sit by idly and is using what it knows best to try and help – bread.
“We wanna do what we can to really help these people who are in dire need,” said owner of Breadsmith of Appleton Shane Griesbach.
Their help comes in the form of a Jewish cookie.
From March 15 to March 19, Breadsmith will be making and selling apple, blueberry, cherry and poppy seed Hamantaschen cookies, with all the proceeds going to the International Rescue Committee.
“Whatever little we can do,” Griesbach said. “Hopefully we can give back and maybe inspire somebody else to do a little bit, and every little bit counts, and hopefully we can get these people home safe.”
Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. locally collected items from Boldt and others in the community.
The truck full of medical supplies, warm boots and other items for Ukraine’s territorial defense forces left Friday.
The group’s collection of donated items will end March 14, but it will continue to collect monetary donations, so that it can purchase critically-needed items in Poland and throughout Europe through trusted partners and have the items trucked into Ukraine.




