Maksim Chmerkovskiy and brother Val collecting supplies for Ukraine in N.J. How to help. – NJ.com

Just days ago, Maksim Chmerkovskiy was sharing Instagram updates from bomb shelters in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The celebrity dancer, known for “Dancing with the Stars,” recently left on a train for Warsaw, Poland and returned to his home in Malibu, California. He has been sharing scenes from Ukraine as the Russian invasion of his home country continues.

Now Maks Chmerkovskiy and his brother, Val Chmerkovskiy, are hosting a New Jersey drive for supplies to help people in Ukraine.

Chmerkovskiy, 42, and fellow “Dancing with the Stars” champ Val, 35, grew up in Odessa, Ukraine before coming to the United States in 1994. The Chmerkovskiys and their father, Aleksandr “Sasha” Chmerkovskiy, own the dance studio chain Dance with Me, which has locations in Glen Rock and Fort Lee.

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Fort Lee is also home to the Chmerkovskiys’ supplies drive. They named the effort Baranova27, after the address in Odessa, Ukraine where they grew up. Sasha Chmerkovskiy is receiving donations.

Maks Chmerkovskiy, a judge of Ukraine’s version of “Dancing with the Stars,” had been in Ukraine to film the Ukrainian version of the TV series “World of Dance” when Russia invaded. The dancer, who has called Fort Lee home, recently reunited with his wife, Peta Murgatroyd (another “Dancing with the Stars” winner), and their son Shai, 5, in California after flying back to Los Angeles from Poland.

Donations will be collected 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2060 Hudson St. in Fort Lee. Check instagram.com/baranova27 for any updates in drop-off times for each day.

Another option is to buy supplies from an Amazon list. Here is the Amazon registry for Baranova27.

Volunteers are also needed to sort and organize supplies. Send a direct message to Baranova27 on Instagram if interested in volunteering.

Here is the list of what is needed. Newly purchased items are requested, including nonperishable food. Medium and large boxes and packing tape are also needed for shipping supplies.

For children

  • diapers, all sizes
  • toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • travel size baby shampoo and soap
  • baby wipes
  • children’s Tylenol/Motrin
  • children’s cough/cold/flu medicine
  • candy
  • new socks and underwear
  • powdered baby formula/food
  • hot cereal and dry snacks
  • squeeze pouches (no glass)

For adults

  • thermal underwear
  • feminine hygiene products
  • cough/cold/flu medicinie
  • Tylenol/Motrin
  • new socks and underwear
  • head and toe warmers
  • blankets
  • travel size toiletries
  • toothbrushes
  • combs

First aid

  • first aid kits
  • gauze
  • bandages
  • medical tape
  • Neosporin
  • tourniquets
  • candles, flashlights and batteries
  • containers for liquid
  • disposable dishes, silverware and cups
  • masks

For soldiers

All items requested in black, green or blue only

  • tents
  • long socks (not ankle)
  • sleeping bags and mats
  • tactical gloves and glasses
  • UV flashlights
  • MREs (ready-to-eat meals/rations for soldiers)
  • bulletproof vests
  • body armor
  • tactical footwear
  • walkie talkies

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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter.