With the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, Mr. Reimer immediately started bringing friends and their families from Ukraine to Zarrentin and the surrounding areas. With the help of a lot of colleagues from VARIOVAC, apartments were rented, fully furnished, partly renovated, and equipped with new kitchens, to provide the Ukrainian guests with a home. By now, 25 apartments have been organized for 101 Ukranian guests. During the transitional phase, until the apartments were ready, we were generously supported by the local hotel businesses. All guests were supported all the way through to the last form during registration and all other visits to the authorities (e.g. at the job center, social welfare office, registering the place of residence, school registration, health insurance, opening bank accounts, etc.). Regular aid-packages from friendly companies supported our efforts from the very beginning of the war. Due to a generous bike donation, we were able to provide all children with new bikes. We also provided leisure activities for our small guests, e.g. by taking them to a horse farm. Together with local companies, VARIOVAC organized a job fair, and 13 Ukranians already started working for VARIOVAC. By now, a dedicated circle of supporters from the company's environment is supporting the Ukranian guests in many respects in their daily lives and including them in their social life.
To be able to secure our support sustainably, we founded a foundation, which is dedicated to the cause of helping war refugees. The "VARIOVAC Foundation" was recognized on December 1st, 2022.
The VARIOVAC foundation also wants to help those affected in the war regions in Ukraine. That is why several small generators were purchased to be able to provide households with power, but also a big 500 kVA generator, which can provide a birth center near Charkiv with electricity. Two light towers with integrated generators were also brought to Ukraine. Recently, the foundation donated a fully-equipped fire truck including a trailer to Globino.
In acknowledgement of VARIOVAC's extraordinary dedication, Jörg Reimer - representing the entire staff - received the honorary citizenship from the city Zarrentin am Schaalsee.
