Andy Pastuszak
Member 
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591 
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Feb 26, 2022 18:43:20 GMT
So, as the world knows Putin invaded Ukraine a few days ago. I'm a first generation Ukrainian-American, so that should tell you my feelings about this. This ends the political discussion on this. Here's the amazing part and how it ties into the hobby.
I ordered the 2021 Ukrainian stamps from a seller in Ukraine that I have been using for the last 2 years. He shipped my 2021 stamps on January 6th. but i have not received them yet. Previous shipments from him got to my house in 2 weeks or less. So, I have been politely emailing him about the order throughout February. We made an agreement that if I did not get them bu next Saturday he would send out a new set.
I had assumed they were lost in the mail.
And here's the annoying part. He lives in Kyiv.
So, at this point, I don't give a **** about the stamps any more. This guys life is in danger. After running this mornings errand, I wanted to send him an email asking if he was OK.
So I fire up an Apple Mail and I see he sent me an email this morning. He tells me that he and his wife left Kyiv last night and are heading west. The he tells me he checked on my order and tracking shows it arrived at JFK Airport this morning and he wanted to let me know.
So this guy is fleeing for his life across Ukraine and takes the time to check my order and email me and let me know my stamps are in the US.
That is above and beyond customer service.
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tobben63
Member
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,874
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Feb 26, 2022 21:07:06 GMT
Wow, that's insane.
Hope he manage to get to the west.
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Post by biglavalamp on Feb 27, 2022 16:51:14 GMT
Ive bookmarked this post please keep us updated
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Mar 5, 2022 4:07:36 GMT
I got the stamps in the mail. I emailed Petro back and asked him if he needed any money. The exchange rate is pretty favorable for USD, so I figured if there was some way to send him $50.00, it would go a long way for him, and it would just force me to cook a meal instead of ordering out.
I have not gotten a reply to the email.
The package included a phone number, so I tried to text to that number. I sent a picture of the envelope and did not get a reply. But I think the text went through.
Hopefully I'll hear from him soon. I'm sure he's preoccupied now with staying alive, so I can't fault him with ignoring email.
Stupid Putin.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,700
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Mar 5, 2022 10:50:03 GMT
I hope he is well.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Mar 6, 2022 19:35:55 GMT
So do I. Still not hearing anything back. He can't leave the country. But hopefully his wife makes it into Poland.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Mar 11, 2022 19:53:43 GMT
I just got an email from my Ukrainian stamp dealer. I ran it through Google Translate. Thought everyone would like to hear what's been going on.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Mar 11, 2022 21:11:33 GMT
Boggles my mind. I offered to send him money, and he tells me to donate to the Ukrainian Army instead.
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Mar 11, 2022 21:18:14 GMT
Boggles my mind. I offered to send him money, and he tells me to donate to the Ukrainian Army instead.
I'd give more if I could...
Peter |
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,889
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
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Post by hdm1950 on Mar 11, 2022 21:35:28 GMT
Boggles my mind. I offered to send him money, and he tells me to donate to the Ukrainian Army instead. Such a sad situation and his story breaks one’s heart. I see the link he provided comes up with an error message. I looked more out of being inquisitive rather than planning on giving. I have given through the Canadian Red Cross already as that appears a safer option plus our government is matching donations up to 30 million. |
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Mar 11, 2022 22:22:46 GMT
I need to find a US group that is matching donations.
It's also a tough call to decide where to donate. You obviously want to help the humanitarian effort. But you also want to make surer Putin is removed from power.
I honestly believe that if anyone else was in charge of Russia, the western world could be friends with Russia. It's really one man causing this mess.
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Admin
Administrator 
Posts: 2,676
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Post by Admin on Mar 11, 2022 22:54:52 GMT
I need to find a US group that is matching donations.... Send your donation to one of our Canadian members and they can give it to the Red Cross' Ukraine fund. The Canadian Government will match those donations up to a maximum of $30 million. You won't get the tax deduction but it is the thought that counts.  |
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Mar 11, 2022 22:56:50 GMT
Honestly, I don't care about the tax deduction. My brother lives in Mississauga. That's probably a good way to go.
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,906
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Mar 11, 2022 23:37:28 GMT
I donated to the Swiss Red Cross for the Ukraine Red Cross
It was pretty easy and they promptly sent a receipt
I worry trying to donate direct into (inside) Ukraine might get caught up in the cyberwar
The entire situation runs me through the gauntlet of emotions
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Mar 12, 2022 2:56:53 GMT
NPR had a story listing a number of different organizations that are seeking assistance to help the people of Ukraine. I gave to CARE's Ukraine fund. |
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bobstew617
Member
Posts: 376
What I collect: Switzerland, Ireland, Scandinavia, Channel Islands, Hong Kong (British Admin), PNG, others...
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Post by bobstew617 on Mar 12, 2022 3:36:07 GMT
I gave to Doctors Without Borders through my work's website and got the donation matched. This is an option for those who are still working and your employer has a matching gift program.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Mar 12, 2022 3:59:20 GMT
I am horribly torn on this situation. I have family in Ukraine. I also have a 19 and 21 year old, which I would prefer not tp get drafted. I don't feel the US should get into a war with Russia. But at the same time, I hate to see a bully win.
Seeing how well the Russian military is performing, I feel that if the US and other NATO powers got involved, NATO generals would be lighting cigars with Ruble notes in The Kremlin by the end of next week.
What really scares me is the nuke threat. These soldiers are using 20 year expired MREs. Do you think they actually maintained those missile silos properly? Who knows what would happen if they even tried to arm a warhead.
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crisger
Member
Artist and Digital Creations
Posts: 112
What I collect: Japan 1890s -2012
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Post by crisger on Mar 12, 2022 6:08:05 GMT
That was nice of him . I think the best choice is to leave for now. things will calm down eventually.
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Mar 12, 2022 14:04:03 GMT
I should add that I'm donating to the Canadian Red Cross for humanitarian aid, It's a nightmare over there now for millions, all because of one man. And NOT ONE will stand up to him!
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Post by elfstone99 on Mar 12, 2022 14:16:39 GMT
I should add that I'm donating to the Canadian Red Cross for humanitarian aid, It's a nightmare over there now for millions, all because of one man. And NOT ONE will stand up to him! The psychotic bully should have been dealt with a long time ago, along with a few others from other places. Not sure why every country is so afraid of this creep. Ashamed that no country (especially mine) has enough courage to deal with this problem. Hopefully Karma is enroute to his door to dish out whatever is on the books for him. |
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Mar 12, 2022 22:47:23 GMT
I should add that I'm donating to the Canadian Red Cross for humanitarian aid, It's a nightmare over there now for millions, all because of one man. And NOT ONE will stand up to him! The psychotic bully should have been dealt with a long time ago, along with a few others from other places. Not sure why every country is so afraid of this creep. Ashamed that no country (especially mine) has enough courage to deal with this problem. Hopefully Karma is enroute to his door to dish out whatever is on the books for him. He has nukes. That's what it comes down to. His military is obviously inept. If NATO attacked him, I feel like it would be over in a week. But he's delusional. His Army is eating 20 year expired rations. Who knows what state his missiles are in. He could give the order to just arm a warhead and it could go off. There a way too many unknowns. I think the best we can hope for is an internal coup that takes him out. |
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,551
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Mar 26, 2022 13:41:18 GMT
Whilst I try to avoid political discussion on the forum, because it usually upsets someone else, I have to comment on some very recent “statements”here in Europe. It is reported that the intersection in Oslo Norway facing the Russian Embassy , which up till now had no name has just been named “Ukrainian Square” , and the street on which the Russian embassy in Vilnius Lithuania is located has just been renamed “Ukrainian Heroes street”, thus forcing the Russians to have all mail to a new address! #2 Ukrainian Heroes Street A sanction with humour .  Similar renaming has occurred elsewhere , eg in Czech Republic, Latvia and Albania apparently ![]() |
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swvl
Member
Posts: 548
What I collect: FDCs, plus some US modern and new issues. Topical interests include music, art, literature, baseball, space...
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Post by swvl on Mar 28, 2022 0:34:25 GMT
I thought this was an interesting idea: a petition (link) calling on USPS to reissue its 2008 sunflower stamp (Sc 4347) as a semipostal fundraiser for the people of Ukraine. I'd buy a few sheets if they did. |
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Sept 12, 2022 21:07:24 GMT
I got an email from my eBay seller and thought I would share:
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napo
**Member** 
Could I write my introduction here?
Posts: 40
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Post by napo on Sept 13, 2022 11:14:07 GMT
it is so sad to know so many lives lost, so many people have to find ways to keep goin.
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jpotx113
Member
Posts: 460
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Sept 13, 2022 16:59:08 GMT
It's good to hear that your seller is safe. My aunt is in Prague today visiting her parents who fled from Ukraine.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Oct 1, 2022 1:45:47 GMT
It's really sad. The Russian government is hiding what it's doing from its citizens. And when the finally start drafting people, then Russians have a clue what is going on and start to flee over the border.
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