15 Mar Esmark Donation Aids Ukrainian Refugees

By Metal Center News Staff on Mar 15, 2022

Esmark Inc. Chairman and CEO James P. Bouchard and Martina Roda have made an initial donation of $25,000 to aid and support Ukrainians seeking refuge in Košice, Slovakia. They will also match monetary donations made by Americans who support Ukrainian refugees up to an additional $25,000.

Bouchard is a former U.S. Steel executive vice president and statutory representative of the Slovak Republic, transforming East Slovakian Ironworks, Košice – now known as U.S. Steel Košice – in Slovakia after U.S. Steel acquired it. Bouchard and Roda’s donation was made on behalf of the former U.S. Steel American and Slovak Commercial teams.

This initial donation was made directly to the City of Kosice, led by Mayor Ing. Jaroslav Polacek, with whom Esmark, Bouchard and Roda have a long-standing relationship.

“Every day, Ukrainian civilians are arriving in Slovakia to seek shelter, food, safety, and kindness,” said Bouchard. “Providing resources to neighboring countries and cities – like Košice – enables them to help these innocent people during one of the darkest times of their lives.”

According to Reuters, more than 2.6 million Ukrainian civilians—mostly women and children— have fled the country since Russia’s invasion, with 185,000 people arriving in Slovakia seeking refuge.

“We are immensely grateful to Esmark, Mr. Bouchard and Ms. Roda for this generous donation. The funds will be used to continue providing shelter, food and safety to our neighbors fleeing Ukraine,” said Košice City Mayor Ing. Jaroslav Polacek.