By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — Westport and the city of Lyman in Ukraine officially became sister cities Wednesday as First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker issued a proclamation to solidify bonds of friendship and support with the city in the besieged Donetsk region.

It’s “a community-to-community partnership,” Tooker said during a virtual call with Westport natives Brian and Marshall Mayer, now in Ukraine, who organized the nonprofit organization Ukraine Aid International after the eastern European nation was attacked last year by Russia.

Also participating by phone from Ukraine was Alexander Zuravlov, the mayor of Lyman, who thanked everyone from Westport who has been helping to assist the city.

“We feel that we are not alone,” he said. “We are extremely grateful.”

Westporters have been generous in providing aid to Ukraine, Tooker said. But sometimes, getting the goods and services collected here to those who need them in Ukraine can be difficult. She praised the Mayer brothers for their help distributing supplies collected in Westport to those who need them. 

“We are so proud and thankful to have them,” she said, also thanking Westporter Dan Woog of the 06880 blog, who helped make the connection.

“Westporters have a longstanding reputation of giving back and reaching out to others in mutual respect, concern and friendship,” Tooker said in the proclamation.

“Despite the devastation, the ravages of war, and the deep emotional impact, the residents in Lyman have been so gracious, warm and deeply appreciative in all our interactions. Today, we choose to forge a firm and lasting friendship by acknowledging our many common attributes,” the proclamation adds.

In addition to fellow Selectwomen Andrea Moore and Candice Savin, joining Tooker on the call to Ukraine were Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Fire Chief Michael Kronick.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of last year, Westport individuals and organizations have helped collect assistance for the people of Ukraine in many ways.

Read about some of those local relief efforts by clicking here, here, here, here and here.

Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist and journalism teacher for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman newspaper for 10 years and currently teaches journalism at Southern Connecticut State University.