United Church and Bargain Basket Staffer Create “March to Help Ukraine”

The Bargain Basket may be the busiest store on the Island. It’s run mostly by volunteers, many who are members of the United Church of Marco Island. In fact, the Bargain Basket is a mission of UCMI, dating back to 1975.

Barbara Rojek is from Krakow, Poland. She moved to Marco Island in January of 2021 with her husband Mike. Barbara started as a volunteer at the Bargain Basket shortly after moving to the Island. Now both she and Mike are employees of the hugely popular thrift store. Back in Krakow, several members of the Rojeks' family have taken in refugees from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A couple of weeks ago Barbara asked store manager, Jessica McElroy, if she would ask United Church Pastor Mark Williams if the Bargain Basket could help.

"At first I was thinking maybe we can send them some clothes,” Barbara Rojek said, "but obviously it’s very expensive to ship stuff so far. So, we figured the best way to go would be a money collection. We started it two weeks ago. We are amazed by people’s generosity. Pastor Mark asked me to research where we should send it.”

Rojek’s thoughts immediately went to the Ukrainian children.

"Children and orphans are close to my heart,” Rojek said. "I figure they don’t have anybody to help them. Orphans have nobody. Not only do they have a hard start being orphans, but they now are also victims of the war and there is nobody to help them and take care of them. I found an organization, SOS Children’s Villages, it’s a very well known international organization. It is present in 138 countries. They are helping those children escape a war zone and find a safe place in Poland. They’re trying to organize transport for them to Poland so they can be saved. In general, the situation with orphanages at the moment in Ukraine is terrible. Those kids, they really need our help. Pastor Mark gave me his blessing. He approved the organization. He also was very vocal in church about the fact that we have this money collection here. And he’s helping to convince people to donate, to give. I am so grateful for all the donations from this month. Pastor Mark was kind and generous to say that all the donations this month are going to the cause.”

“Barbara and Mike Rojek are beloved staff at the Bargain Basket,” said Pastor Mark Williams. "Our volunteers and customers know how big their hearts are for people in need. Their roots are in next door Poland, which is only 50 miles away from where there was recently an attack, and Barbara’s family’s decision to house refugees from Ukraine was an inspirational story for us to hear. This is why we made the offering in honor of the Rojek family to the SOS Children’s Villages, which also was an organization that came from Barbara and her family, who really is on the ground doing great work right now. It’s just a wonderful story.”

Williams said the Bargain Basket’s support is a natural.

“As a Christian thrift store,” Williams said, "the Bargain Basket exists to help. We’re not a traditional retailer. We’re mission." 

Even Williams is surprised at the Island’s generous support. He wasn’t sure how successful an international effort would be.

"It’s been really heartwarming to see people from the community coming to the register, buying a $3 shirt and then making a $50 gift to Ukraine,” Williams said. "It just speaks to the generosity of Marco Island. It’s unreal. We have over $17,000 that’s come in so far. We haven’t made a goal, but we have decided to make the offering through the month of March. It’s entitled March to Help Ukraine. We had no idea how this was going to turn out. For years local missions have been our bread and butter at the United Church. You buy something at the Bargain Basket and you bless someone who is in need right next door. We had no idea how an international effort would even go because we don’t usually do those. So, this has been a surprising blessing to all of us. That people don’t care just about their next-door neighbors, but people at the ends of the earth, around the world. It really speaks to the kindness of the Marco Island community. To see people from our community, not even from United Church, or not even volunteers at the Bargain Basket, just everyday people in the community, coming in and making gifts at the register for a cause halfway around the world. It’s just extraordinary kindness. That’s all I can say.”

Rojek feels the same way about the customers who frequent the Bargain Basket. She can hardly believe their generosity.

"We have very many generous people on this Island,” Rojek said. "They are happy to chip in. That means a lot to me. And it means a lot to these children. Maybe we can make their lives a little more comfortable. There are people here who have very big hearts. We are very grateful for all the donations. Very small ones and very big ones. Because I think every dollar counts."

Rojek urges Islanders who want to help to stop by the Bargain Basket and make a donation.

"People who would like to donate to our cause can come to the Bargain Basket,” Rojek said. "They can drop off a donation check. It’s just important that they make the check out to United Church of Marco Island. We also take cash donations here. Or you can simply add it to your purchase."