If there’s one thing Andy Leibenguth is sure about, it’s this:

“The world wants peace,” the Tamaqua native said.

So in an effort to bring a bit of solace to those whose lives have been devastated by the war in Ukraine, the Iraqi war veteran will leave today for Warsaw, Poland. By Sunday, he’ll be dropping in at shelters housing Ukrainian refugees.

“My main goal is to use my comedy magic to bring smiles - even for a second. I’ll also distribute donated packs of playing cards to refugees, volunteers, injured and defenders,” Leibenguth explained.

While he’s helped with humanitarian efforts through the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, this time, he’ll be going it alone.

“For some reason, I am not scared. Anxious? Yes. Scared? No. Both Poland and Ukraine need all the help the world can give them; whether it be money or manpower,” he said.

To make the trip, Leibenguth began fundraising on GoFundMe. The community was so generous that Leibenguth reached his $3,800 goal in less than a week.

Over the past few days, he’s been preparing a trip that he’ll take day-by-day.

He’ll board a flight bound for Frankfort, Germany, on Saturday, then transfer to a plane headed to Warsaw. With layovers and flight times, it should take at least 24 hours.

When he lands, he’ll waste no time seeking out refugee shelters.

“Warsaw is my primary destination, as Warsaw has over 30 refugee shelters,” Leibenguth explained.

The United Nations estimates that as of March 22, 3.6 million people have fled Ukraine; 2.1 million of them are in Poland.

“Many residents of Poland and EU countries have taken days and weeks off their regular jobs to help at these shelters. It is overwhelming,” he said. “I plan to work very hard while there.”

He also plans to assist with shelter operations, transportation and communications.

“Fighting will be a last resort due to my PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from Iraq. My goals and skills might change a little when I get there, since I plan to help wherever is most needed,” he said.

He doesn’t know where he will be staying. For all he knows, he might be without shelter.

To be safe, he will take a sleeping bag, multiple sets of cold-weather attire, a solar power pack, power adapters and basic survival gear.

He might be there for a few days, or he might be there a month, he said.

“I tentatively plan on staying 30 days due to travel restrictions, health and personal responsibilities,” he said.

Leibenguth explained that he sees his assistance as a way to share his time and skills.

“I’ve volunteered with disaster services for the local and regional American Red Cross and Salvation Army for over 10 years. Although this time I am going alone and not representing or funded by any organization,” he said.

With the Salvation Army, he was deployed to Philadelphia in support of emergency services during Pope Francis’ 2015 visit. And with the American Red Cross, he was deployed as a shelter manager following the disastrous hurricanes Katrina and Ike. Locally, he served as a disaster director for both organizations for more than a decade.

Leibenguth is also a fixture at Tamaqua festivals and community events, dressing as popular movie characters or performing magic tricks to young and old alike.

“I’m hoping my experiences as a comedy magician, disaster responder, shelter manager and as a Marine could come in handy,” he said.

Leibenguth served eight years in the Marine Corps and a one-year tour of duty in Iraq in 2004.

He moved to Lake Panasoffkee, Florida, in 2017 but frequently returns to the area. Before his move, he volunteered with many veterans’ and community organizations.

In 2011, he was the youngest recipient of the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce’s Joseph M. Plasko Memorial Citizenship Award.

Although he’s reached his goal for travel expenses, Leibenguth said additional donations received through his GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=leibenguth will be given directly to the Polish/Ukrainian organizations in most need.

“In addition, I encourage anyone to donate to Ukraine by mailing a check to St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 210 W. Blaine St., McAdoo, PA 18237 with the memo “Humanitarian Fund.” Donations may also be made via a link listed on their Facebook page or https://st-marys-ukrainian-catholic-church.square.site/.