Bjarne "BJ" Mikkelsen, a Tour Operator at Great Dane Journeys, has been a member of Rotary International since. 2014. In addition to being an active member in club activities and service projects, he has served as Membership Chair and International Committee Chair. BJ explains, “When Rotary was explained to me, I saw very quickly that it was exactly what I identified with. I did not need to be talked into it, I said, “Well that’s me.” It was that easy. It was just straight out of my heart and something I felt strongly about and something I knew I should be a part of.”
SERVICE PROJECT PASSION: Worldwide Relief for Those Suffering
BJ has traveled to 135 countries and many territories across the globe, visiting each of the continents. He possesses a deep compassion for the human plight that he has witnessed at home and abroad.
This was ever-apparent when Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. Upon learning of the devastation that the Ukrainian people were suffering, BJ quickly mobilized and began making contact and forging strong ties with the Rotary Club of Warsaw, Poland and the Rotary Club of Helmstedt, Germany. He has traveled to the area several times starting in March 2022, working to assist refugees alongside his new Rotarian friends, Ukrainian military leaders, hospital staff, and church and refugee housing leaders. He has helped to source, pack, and deliver thousands of pounds of food and medical supplies to Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees.
To date, BJs efforts locally have raised over $55,000, much of which was distributed to the Rotary Clubs in Poland and Germany to support their local efforts to aid the refugees in their communities. He launched a non-profit 501(c)3 called Hudson Valley Helps Refugees (https://www.hudsonvalleyhelpsrefugees.org) to support his efforts.
As the holidays approach, BJs current initiative is to spread love and joy to over 400 Ukrainian refugee children. He is currently making Santa appearances throughout the Hudson Valley to raise money to purchase Paddington Bear books, written in Ukrainian. For those who know the story, Paddington Bear was a refugee from Peru who arrived in London with a label around his neck reading “Please look after this Bear.” The author, Michael Bond, was a child during World War II and says Paddington was inspired by memories of witnessing child evacuees from London relocated to his hometown, where his parents opened their home. Adding another level of meaning, Volodymyr Zelensky was the voice of Paddington Bear in the Ukrainian versions of “Paddington” and “Paddington 2” prior to becoming the president of Ukraine.
BJs is also working on strengthening connections with other Rotary Clubs to raise awareness and support of the needs of refugees. He has already visited many other Rotary Clubs in the area and hopes to visit more. He believes “A lot of little streams makes a big river.” While his work has been centered on Ukraine at the moment, there is an enormous need to support refugees across the world, especially in Kenya and Somalia, noting that Kenya is home to one of the largest refugee camps in the world.
BJs passion shows us all what just one Rotarian can do with an idea, the personal ambition and drive, a caring heart, and the help of the Rotary world.
CONTACT: Anyone wishing to have BJ visit their Club to hear about his adventures and efforts to improve the lives of refugees, or to book him for a Santa appearance, please contact him at 917-282-2305.