A local company with connections to Ukraine is watching Russia’s invasion closely and pledging to help out.

Emad Rizkalla, Founder and CEO, Bluedrop Performance Learning says he is watching the events unfolding in Ukraine in horror and sadness.

Bluedrop has six people on their staff working in Ukraine today, a connection dating back almost 25 years.

Rizkalla says the humanitarian need in Ukraine is tremendous and they plan to raise some $40,000 in the next little while.

He says they hope that will encourage other companies and individuals to consider raising their own funds as money can make a difference and will help alleviate some of the suffering.

The Bluedrop Performance Learning CEO says most of their workers are in the western part of Ukraine which is still said to be relatively safe.