Pnina Souid
This story starts with the phone call to the Mitzvah Man hot line. The caller told the Mitzvah Man that he is looking for help for an elderly man, Vladimir, who managed to escape the Ukraine in the midst of the war, despite all odds.
Vladimir is wheelchair-bound and is all alone. He speaks no English and has practically nothing. However, a Jewish organization was able to bring him to America and find him an apartment in Brooklyn, on Ocean Avenue on the sixth floor. Once Vladimir was placed in this apartment, the gentleman representing Vladimir heard about the Mitzvah Man Organization, who he reached out to for assistance.
Mike Nielman, a Mitzvah Man volunteer, accepted the mission to help Vladimir. Here is Mike’s story.
When I met Vladimir, I was not sure how everything would transpire. But my goal was to do my best for this man who had to leave his home and country in very difficult circumstances.
We had no common language so we had to communicate with a type of sign language. It had already been determined that he needed a green card, food stamps, and assistance to pay rent and utilities.
I was told that it was a pure miracle that the organization was able to get Vladimir out of the Ukraine.
Over a period of time I spent every day with Vladimir, going to the appropriate office for whichever assistance he needed.
First, we spent the day applying for a green card. Next day was food stamps. The day after that was to secure funds to pay for rent and utilities.
Vladimir would point or gesture when he needed to explain what he needed.
Once all these matters where taken care of I knew that I could not leave him totally alone. So I visited him once a week to see how he was doing and to ask if he needed anything.
Vladimir’s representative, who made the original call to the Mitzvah Man, called again. This time it was to thank the Mitzvah Man Organization for sending to Vladamir a true hero.
The Mitzvah Man Organization is here to help. Please don’t hesitate to call for assistance or to volunteer.