American Mayor-Poland -- WEB
Metadata
- American Mayor-Poland -- WEB
- March 15, 2022
- Content Type Package
- Language English
- Transcript/Script American Mayor-Poland HEADLINE: American Mayor in Poland Providing Aid to Ukrainian Refugees TEASER: Paul Kanitra Pauses his Duties to Help Ukrainian Refugees on the Ground in Poland. PUBLISHED AT: 03/14/2022 at 6:55 p.m. BYLINE: Keith Kocinski CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: Poland VIDEOGRAPHER: Keith Kocinski & Michal Kalina PRODUCER: Keith Kocinski SCRIPT EDITORS: Igor Tsikhanenka, MPage VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __ TRT: VID APPROVED BY: EDITOR NOTES: ((INTRO)) [[Over 2.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded the country over two weeks ago. Aid from around the world has poured into the region -- often from small groups or lone volunteers. One mayor of a small coastal community in New Jersey is giving back to those who have helped his community. From Poland, Keith Kocinski has the story. ]] ((VOA Video: Refugees crossing the border in Medyka)) ((NARRATOR)) Tears of joy from this Ukrainian woman as she crosses the Polish border on foot with her family, part of the constant daily flow of thousands of Ukrainian refugees met with a warm meal, support from Poles, nonprofits and volunteers from around the globe. ((VOA Video: Nat sound from Paul Kanitra and Greg Johnson at table at Refugee Center answering question from someone off camera)) “It’s just Greg and I. Paul and Greg. No nonprofit.” ((VOA Video: Paul Kanitra and Greg Johnson passing out items)) ((NARRATOR)) Including American volunteers Paul Kanitra and Greg Johnson. ((Mayor Paul Kanitra, Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey)) “There are people from all over the globe and we talked to so many of them who have done just the exact same thing. They have put their lives on hold. They got a plane ticket. They drove. They took a train and they are here just finding a way to pitch in and help.” ((VOA Video: Paul Kanitra and Greg Johnson passing out items, Nat up from Paul talking to refugees trying best to communicate)) “Child, children, children’s right here.” ((VOA Video: Paul Kanitra and Greg Johnson passing out items and shopping at local stores)) ((NARRATOR)) The demand is constant, so the two take part in a daily cycle of giving and resupplying. Once their tables are depleted, the two head back to local stores and shopping malls, refilling their van which doubles as a supply vehicle and transportation for refugees. ((Greg Johnson, Volunteer From Irving, Texas)) “Imagine leaving all your belongings and everything you work for your job, your career, your community and being forced to leave because of war. I don’t think that really hits home with a lot of Americans until you see it.” ((VOA Video: Paul Kanitra and Greg Johnson shopping at local stores - Nat up from Paul walking through a shopping mall)) “See, we can make runs from this and spend a ton of money and go back-and-forth pretty quickly.” ((VOA Video: Paul Kanitra in his office, shots of him walking down Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk and community signs)) ((NARRATOR)) Kanitra is no stranger to taking charge, serving as mayor of the small New Jersey Shore community of Point Pleasant Beach. ((VOA Video: Paul Kanitra working near the border, shots of refugees and shots of Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk)) ((NARRATOR)) Of Eastern European descent, Kanitra was compelled to serve after watching media coverage of the refugee crisis, as many Ukrainian nationals travel and live in his community each summer working on the boardwalk. ((Mayor Paul Kanitra, Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey)) “I'm a firm believer that you lead from the front. You lead through action and you don't do a lot of the talking because everyone can talk a good game. It's the people that actually step up and jump in and do the work and the work should speak for itself." ((VOA Video: Paul Kanitra working near the border with Greg)) ((NARRATOR)) He enlisted help from his longtime friend Greg Johnson, raising thousands of dollars in donations, helping to purchase needed supplies, spending a week on the ground distributing them as fast as they can. ((VOA Video: Nat sound of Paul Kanitra shopping for items for refugees)) “We’ll just take all of them. Are these all that you have of these?” ((VOA Video: refugees crossing the border)) ((NARRATOR)) A small part of the collective contribution... as over one and a half million Ukrainian refugees have crossed into Poland since the invasion. ((Greg Johnson, Volunteer From Irving, Texas)) “We are bringing humanity to a really bad situation where people sometimes don’t feel that humanity. When you’re being cattle called and shuttled in a bus that is not a great feeling and we are just trying to make people feel a little bit better about this journey they are on.” ((VOA Video: Paul Kanitra working near the border with Greg)) ((NARRATOR)) By night the two forego sleep, continuing their work at the border... ((Nat sound of water bottles)) ((NARRATOR)) ...buying more supplies, helping carry luggage and transporting refugees. ((Greg Johnson, Volunteer From Irving, Texas)) “We help people. We do things out of the bottom of our heart, and we get things done.” ((Mayor Paul Kanitra, Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey)) “I think it’s good you know for Americans to be out here showing that we care, showing that we are part of the international community and paying it forward.” ((NARRATOR)) While the two depart Poland after volunteering for a week, they hope to continue raising awareness and helping from abroad. Keith Kocinski, VOA News, Eastern Poland.
- NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
- Network VOA
- Location (dateline) Poland
- Embargo Date March 14, 2022 20:14 EDT
- Byline Keith Kocinski, VOA News, Eastern Poland.
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America - English