Most Westerners can’t imagine fleeing their homes running from bombs and rockets. Unfortunately, Ukrainians already experienced this in 2014, when Donbas inhabitants fled the first attempts to inflict “russian peace” on their land. The full-scale invasion forced millions of people to seek shelter, having nothing but a passport and a change of clothes. If it weren’t for Ukrainian charities, displaced people would have nowhere to sleep or eat. Charitable fund “Teple Sertse” (eng. “Warm Heart”) is one of the organizations that give these people hope.
Charitable fund “Teple Sertse” was founded in 2018 in Novomoskovsk, Dnipropetrovsk region. Before the war, they were helping low-income and multi-children families. Now the organization has expanded its work to help displaced and war-affected people. Food kits for military troops, diapers and baby food for children, sleeping bags and cots for air defense personnel, sweets and pasta for a restaurant that serves displaced people – volunteers from “Teple Sertse” manage to get all this done in just one day. The town of Novomoskovsk lies very close to Kharkiv, Lugansk, and Donetsk, but it didn’t face active military conflicts or air raids. That’s why it became a hub for displaced people from the affected regions. “Teple Sertse” also works beyond Novomoskovsk, helping people in the hotspots.
The war’s first months depleted the fund’s resources, and “Teple Sertse” reached out to Razom. The appeal resulted in an $18,000 grant. Thanks to this contribution, the fund was able to aid families with numerous children. They have packed and distributed 1,545 humanitarian packages to Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Donetsk inhabitants.
Charitable fund “Teple Sertse” is on Instagram @teple.serce and Facebook. Thanks to the detailed reporting and outstanding performance, the foundation has created strong, trusting connections with donors. Recently, Razom for Ukraine authorized another $12,000 grant that will aid many people affected by the war.
Razom Grants:
Given humanitarian needs change by the hour and come from multiple geographical points at the same time, Razom awards grants to grassroots initiatives in Ukraine who are responding quickly to the needs of civilians and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Learn more here.
We are excited to share with you our series Razom Says Dyakuyu. “Dyakuyu” means “thank you” in Ukrainian. Our work supporting Ukraine and getting humanitarian aid on the ground where it is needed most, would not be possible without the generous donations made by donors. With this series, we are highlighting some of the amazing donors and unique fundraisers that have supported Razom.
Theater has always been an important tool during dark times and today it acts as a creative outlet and a way to help Ukraine since russia’s brutal, full-scale invasion in February.
Razom is grateful to have become a beneficiary of Shakespeare with Benefits, a theater company of professional actors who perform a “bard-based variety show” and raise funds for various charitable organizations working towards the betterment of our shared society.
“As we watched the horror of Putin’s illegal and immoral war on Ukraine unfold, everyone desperately wanted to help,” said Kate Konigisor, founder and director of Shakespeare with Benefits. “So, as actors we did what we do best and mobilized our theater company to perform our show in order to raise more funds than any of us could have individually.”
On Tuesday, May 10, the actors performed in front of a packed house at the West End Theater in the historic Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew – a space that gives non-profit professional theater groups a platform. Viewers were captivated by the witty performances of well-known and lesser-known plays of the Bard of Avon. Two Razom representatives spoke with those in attendance about the work our volunteers do to help people on the ground in Ukraine.
In addition to staging the performance, the team of Shakespeare with Benefits actors organized an online GoFundMe campaign and put together a set of prizes to be raffled off. As a result, close to $14,000 was collected and transferred to Razom’s Emergency Response project.
“Razom for Ukraine was the perfect beneficiary because of the vital work they are doing in Ukraine, getting medical supplies where needed and so much more,” Konigisor said.
Razom and all the people who we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to Shakespeare with Benefits for their creativity and support!
We are excited to share with you our series Razom Says Dyakuyu. “Dyakuyu” means “thank you” in Ukrainian. Our work supporting Ukraine and getting humanitarian aid on the ground where it is needed most, would not be possible without the generous donations made by donors. Within this series we are highlighting some of the thousands of amazing donors and fundraisers that Razom has been very fortunate to gain support of.
Students at Northeastern University in Boston came together to fundraise more than $30,000 for Ukrainian relief efforts this spring. Ukrainian-American students Deanna Zawadiwsky, Terenia Hankewycz, and Zachar Hankewycz organized a Ukrainian Cultural Club at the University with Deanna becoming its first president, Terenia vice-president, and Zachar its treasurer.
The students sent Razom a detailed letter on how they started the club, fundraised, and got their community involved. We are reprinting their letter, written by current Northeastern University Ukrainian Cultural Club president Zachar, in the hopes that it may inspire other students.
Razom and all the people who we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to Deanna, Terenia, Zachar, and all the students at Northeastern University who contributed.
Letter from Zachar Hankewycz, Current President of Northeastern University Ukrainian Cultural Club:
At the start of the academic year, the Ukrainian Cultural Club didn’t officially exist at Northeastern University. We were an informal group of 5-10 Ukrainians who met up occasionally for social and cultural events (like cooking varenyky and creating pysanky). Most of us were from the Ukrainian diaspora, and many of us knew each other before college through Plast.
The night the war started, we all knew we had to do something. The thought of sitting through lectures or work as if nothing had changed was just unbearable, so we decided to hold a rally and fundraise the very next day. Each of us took a day off from work or classes. In the morning, we made signs and printed leaflets to hand out; at noon, we gathered in a central location on campus.
Our original group was small, and although we tried to publicize our event, we didn’t expect many participants on such short notice. But we were shocked – students showed up from all around the Boston area, from BU, Suffolk University, Berklee, and Tufts, to name a few. Many were Ukrainian, but we were also joined by students of various other backgrounds, stopping by between classes to hold a sign and support us.
Our initial fundraising goal was $1,000, and to incentivize donations, our group decided that we’d collectively match any donations we received that day. We ended up raising almost $4000 (not including the matching donations)!
After that, we decided two things: that we would continue holding fundraisers, and that we should become an official club. We wanted every Ukrainian student at Northeastern to know that they are not alone, that they have support. With the help of the Center for Intercultural Engagement, we were able to obtain official club status at Northeastern.
So the next week, we did the same thing. We prepared our signs, took a day off, and continued fundraising. Our members made leaflets, posters, stickers, origami flowers, and flag pins to help fundraise. One of our members organized a fundraising fair, and reached out to local businesses for product donations which we could sell. We were joined by the Art Blanche club for the fair, where we sold food and art, played Ukrainian music, and handed out leaflets about the war in Ukraine (and how people can help out). On April 7th, we coordinated a national vigil with over 20 Ukrainian organizations in American universities. Standing on the steps of the central building on campus, with the flag of Ukraine alongside the American flag on the rooftop, our members spoke about Ukraine’s history, its people, and their suffering.
Along the way, various other organizations at Northeastern reached out, asking how they could help. Alpha Epsilon Pi, BURSA (Burmese Student Association), Active Minds, Studio Art Club, Art Blanche, AMSA (American Medical Student Association), and others all held fundraisers for Ukraine, and asked us for advice on potential recipients of these donations.
We’re glad that we’ve managed to connect with so many Ukrainians, including fellow students, in the Boston area as a result, although we wish it was under happier circumstances. Everyone helped out, and everyone supported one another. At the start, there were few of us and we were disorganized; now, we’re an official club with many new members, and we plan to continue fundraising for as long as there is a need.
The war made it extremely difficult to acquire qualified advice on evacuation, legal, economic, and humanitarian issues. Because of the overburdening of official resources, the destruction of communication systems, and the volume of unverified content, people cannot receive critical information promptly. That is why initiatives like Visit Ukraine are so important.
Millions of Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other cities or abroad. Fearful, with no guarantees about tomorrow or even today, people were left wondering what to do next. What documents are needed to cross the border? Where to go to get assistance in a new country? How can a foreigner leave Ukraine safely? How to get help in the occupied territories? How to return to Ukraine at no cost? Every day, a team of 25 competent specialists answers these and many other equally important questions. The Visit Ukraine hotline is open 24/7 to help refugees, displaced people, and foreign citizens affected by the war on Ukrainian territory.
Between February 24 and the end of May, more than 70,000 people received personal consultations via phone and other communication channels (website chat, Telegram, WhatsApp). The number of website users in May exceeded 137,000. Moreover, Visit Ukraine creates and distributes proven informational content translated into four languages for users’ convenience. Many disoriented people now have answers to questions that quite literally determine their fate, all thanks to the efforts of Visit Ukraine.
Razom for Ukraine provided the Visit Ukraine team with a $4,800 grant. These funds covered the purchase of technical equipment for 20 call-center operators, software, costs associated with distributing information about the website, and content support in Ukrainian and English. The grant also allowed for the addition of 5 call-center operators supplied with all necessary equipment, and currently, Visit Ukraine operators handle approximately 800 requests per day.
We are excited to share with you our series Razom Says Dyakuyu. Dyakuyu means “thank you” in Ukrainian. Our work supporting Ukraine and getting humanitarian aid on the ground where it is needed most, would not be possible without generous donors. With this series we are highlighting some of the amazing donors and fundraisers that have supported Razom.
Walking into elementary school P.S. 340 in Manhattan, our Razom representatives knew exactly where to go for their meeting with third graders who had raised funds for our Emergency Response project. The bulletin board next to one classroom displayed pictures of blue and yellow squares with Razom’s logo along with peace signs, Ukrainian flags, and multi-color hand drawn calls to action, “Help Save Ukraine,” “Peace to Ukraine,” and “Support Razom Together.”
Invited by the school’s principal, Razom volunteers came to visit the young students and accept a check for $2,103. The students wanted to hand their donation to us directly and learn about the ways the funds they collected would help Ukraine.
When the kremlin began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, families across the United States sat down with their children and discussed what individuals could do to help Ukraine. There is always something people in a position of safety can do to help those in imminent danger. Ellie, one of the students, and her family started having conversations on how they could help. They came up with the idea of collecting money that could be donated to help people in Ukraine. Within a few days, Ellie proposed an event and planned it in collaboration with her class.
“The whole school made bracelets and had a fundraiser sale in front of the school,” said a parent of one of the students who participated in the charity sale. Bracelets full of blue and yellow beads were arranged with white beads spelling out the words “peace,” “love,” and “Ukraine.” The bracelets didn’t have a set price. They were offered up for sale to the school community at whatever rates people wished to donate. Parents, teachers, and a wider community participated in the sale. Several hours later, the students counted over $2,000 contributed from the compassionate crowd.
“Everyone was very supportive. Some people gave us all the cash they had with them at the moment,” said one of the students when called on by a teacher to share their impressions with Razom volunteers.Gathered in a semi-circle in front of us, the students one after another posed questions and expressed their thoughts.
Razom and all the people who we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to P.S. 340 for their support!
We are excited to share with you our series Razom Says Dyakuyu. Dyakuyu means “thank you” in Ukrainian. Our work supporting Ukraine and getting humanitarian aid on the ground where it is needed most, would not be possible without generous donors. With this series we are highlighting some of the amazing donors and fundraisers that have supported Razom.
It is with deep gratitude for solidarity and support that one of the representatives of Razom for Ukraine traveled to JFK airport on 12 July to accept the kind donation of $31,000 from the Terminal 4 team.
The contributed funds had been collected by John F. Kennedy International Airport JFKIAT through the coin collection program of Terminal 4. Within this program, for a period of two months, several coin collection boxes were installed throughout the concourse to provide the passengers and employees with an opportunity to make their contribution towards Ukraine’s achievement of decisive victory. The strategically placed boxes offered people to donate to Razom as well as to learn of additional ways of supporting our organization’s humanitarian relief efforts.
Throughout March and April, the passengers of “one of the most active air terminals in the New York area” made their charitable donations and familiarized themselves with Razom. Having strived to achieve justice for our shared humanity through many other philanthropic actions — such as employee volunteering and community outreach — the JFKIAT team acted on their charitable financial contribution experience and matched the gathered funds for an even greater impact.
“We are devastated by this war and the detrimental impact it has been having on millions of people in Ukraine,” said Roel Huinink, President and CEO of JFKIAT. “We stand with the people of Ukraine, and we hope this donation will help to provide relief and support.”
If we think of the hundreds of thousands and maybe even millions of people that had learned about Razom having passed by the coin boxes with the organization’s logos at the JFK terminal, it is safe to say that JFKIAT’s fundraising project is the gift that will keep on giving.
With Razom volunteers working tirelessly on achieving the speedier victory, we are grateful and say dyakuyu to JFKIAT for their trust in us as an organization to turn their support into the aid to the people of Ukraine!
The public organization “Zvichayni Ludi” (English: “Ordinary People”) was created by Iryna Stroeva and Anna Vovk in July 2019 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The organization grew, and for the past three years it was actively helping disadvantaged and orphaned children, providing aid to orphanages and hospitals.
2022 russian invasion of Ukraine changed the lives of every member of “Zvichayni Ludi,” but it didn’t change their determination and desire to help those in need. Now, joined by many more “ordinary” volunteers from different backgrounds, “Zvichayni Ludi” provide food, water, hygiene products, medical supplies, and even emergency window repairs to the most vulnerable populations, public hospitals, and Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines in Kharkiv region. They deliver aid to people in shelters, subway stations, and Kharkiv territories liberated from russian occupation. Moreover, they supply local kitchens with groceries covering about 3000 meals and so far have assisted in the preparation and delivery of over 200,000 meals.
The organization aims to provide help directly to those who need it the most. To assist as many people as possible, “Zvichayni Ludi” created an effective system of forming and issuing orders and optimized the logistics between the call center and the warehouse improving packaging and delivery times. They also set up special brigades to repair windows in residential buildings affected by shelling.
University professors and students, company directors and workers, entrepreneurs and the unemployed, doctors and engineers, men and women – 150 people who call themselves “ordinary” were able to help more than 102,000 Kharkiv residents. Their selfless nature and incredible humanitarian efforts are especially valuable to those who live far from the city and don’t have access to any supplies.
Razom for Ukraine has already provided $11,000 and recently approved another grant of $19,000 to aid “Zvichayni Ludi” in their honorable and necessary mission! Watch the video below to see these wonderful people in action.
What does it mean to build a civil society? Can Ukraine become a model of new statehood where volunteer initiatives surpass the professionalism and efficiency of foreign organizations and government agencies? In the interview for Razom, co-founder and chairman of the PFVMH Supervisory Board, Gennadiy Druzenko shares his perspective.
Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital, or PFVMH, began to form after an attempt to disperse the Euromaidan in Kyiv by force on November 30, 2013. Volunteers, doctors, and medical professionals set up improvised medical brigades and later formed underground hospitals to help the victims of the Revolution of Dignity. In December 2014, PFVMH started working in the ATO zone. Over the next five years, more than half a thousand volunteers – physicians, paramedics, and support staff – did more than fifty rotations in the ATO area (later the JFO zone). They saved thousands of lives, and people started calling them the Angels in White Coats.
On February 24, 2022, russia launched its infamous and insidious war. Once again, the angels went where people needed them the most. For almost four months now, volunteer doctors, working in difficult frontline conditions and risking their lives, have been providing medical care to the victims: first in Kyiv and Zhytomyr, and since May in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Lending a hand to mobile military hospitals, PFVMH has now set up its evacuation and stabilization points in Chasiv Yar and Sloviansk. Evacuation carriages also reach the Luhansk region near Lysychansk.
Donors and doctors from around the world join the project and help save the lives of military and civilian victims. Medical professionals from Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Canada, and the US have come to do the rotations. For example, in May this year, Jennifer Malley, a California emergency nurse, was part of one of the PFVMH crews. She was impressed by the results that Ukrainian doctors achieved with minimal resources and compared russia’s war against Ukraine with the biblical David and Goliath.
From its creation until today, PFVMH has existed exclusively on non-state funds. Since April 2022, Razom for Ukraine has been assisting the hospital with tactical medicine and has provided a grant of $95,000. These funds have already purchased a bus to evacuate the wounded and transport medics and fuel. During the war, the need for mobile equipment is exceptionally high. Right now, PFVMH requires a portable X-ray ($40,000) and armored ambulances.
It is important to understand that Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital is not only about medical care but also the community and the dedication of volunteers who save thousands of people. “This is the prototype of future Ukraine. We owe it to those who gave their lives for it.” – Gennadiy Druzenko
Уроки людяності та успішного громадянського суспільства від ПДМШ ім. Миколи Пирогова
Як виглядає незалежне громадянське суспільство побудоване на принципах самоорганізації, волі та відповідальності? Чи може Україна стати зразком нової державності, де волонтерські ініціативи перевершують професійність та ефективність іноземних організацій чи державних установ? На ці та інші питання в інтервʼю для Razom відповідає Геннадій Друзенко – співзасновник і Голова Наглядової Ради ПДМШ ім. Миколи Пирогова.
Перший добровольчий мобільний шпиталь або ПДМШ почав формуватися ще 30 листопада 2013 року. Тоді, після спроби силового розгону Євромайдану в Києві, було створено імпровізовані медичні бригади, а потім і підпільні шпиталі, які допомагали постраждалим учасникам Революції Гідності. А вже у грудні 2014 року ПДМШ як системний проєкт розпочав свою діяльність в зоні АТО. За наступні пʼять років більше півтисячі добровольців – медиків, парамедиків, допоміжного персоналу – здійснили більше пʼятдесяти ротацій у зоні АТО (пізніше зона ООС). Вони врятували тисячі життів і отримали цілком виправдане звання янголів у білих халатах.
24 лютого 2022 року росія розпочала свою ганебну, підступну війну – і янголи вирушили туди, де їх найбільш потребують. Вже майже чотири місяці медики-добровольці, працюючи у тяжких прифронтових умовах і ризикуючи своїм життям, надають медичну допомогу постраждалим: спочатку у Київській та Житомирській, а від травня – у Донецькій та Луганській областях. Підставивши плече військовим мобільним госпіталям, ПДМШ наразі облаштували власні евакуаційно-стабілізаційні пункти у Часовому Яру та Словʼянську, а евакуаційні екіпажі доїжджають також до Луганщини в районі Лисичанська.
Донори й лікарі з усього світу долучаються до проєкту та допомагають рятувати життя військових і цивільних, постраждалих від війни. На ротаціях вже були лікарі з Німеччини, Австрії, Франції, Великої Британії, Канади та США. Так, наприклад, у травні цього року в складі одного з екіпажів ПДМШ працювала Дженніфер Маллі – медсестра невідкладної допомоги із Каліфорнії. Вона була вражена результатами, яких українські медики досягають маючи мінімальні ресурси, і порівняла війну росії проти України з біблійними Давидом та Голіафом.
Від моменту створення і до сьогодні, ПДМШ існує виключно на недержавні кошти. З квітня 2022 року Razom for Ukraine допомагає шпиталю тактичною медициною та надали грант у розмірі 95 000 доларів США. На ці кошти вже було придбано бус для евакуації поранених та транспортування медиків, а також паливо. Але в умовах війни необхідність у коштах для придбання високотехнологічного мобільного обладнання особливо висока. Наприклад, наразі ПДМШ потребує портативний рентген (40 000 доларів США) та броньовані швидкі.
Сьогодні дуже важливо розуміти, що Перший добровольчий мобільний шпиталь ім. Миколи Пирогова – це не тільки про медичну допомогу, це про спільноту і самовідданість добровольців, які продовжують рятувати тисячі людей. “Це прообраз і паросток майбутньої України, за яку не буде соромно перед тими, хто поклав за неї життя.” – Геннадій Друзенко
As we go into Fourth of July weekend in the US, this year the holiday has special meaning. Fourth of July represents the root of our never-ending fight to preserve our freedom & democracy as a united people and a united country. This weekend Razom is celebrating by thanking Ukrainians for reminding us that freedom isn’t free and showing them our support as they fight for our shared values. We sincerely hope you’ll join us.
Dear Razom community,
We want you to consider infusing Ukraine into your Fourth of July celebrations this year. The Razom Advocacy team created a special site full of ideas on how to do that – from low-medium-high difficulty Ukrainian recipes, to music playlists and advocacy of course! Much like Americans were aided in their struggle for independence against a colonial power, the United States marks this Fourth of July by aiding Ukrainians in their fight to uphold their most cherished values— freedom and democracy.
We hope you will join us and use #USUAFreedom on social media so that Ukrainians, Ukrainian-Americans, and friends of Ukraine around the world can see this beautiful show of support in action.
Now on to updates on the impact your support has had on Razom’s work over the past week:
Our volunteers packed and prepared for shipping 5,744 IFAKs last week. Since the beginning of our emergency response, we’ve prepared and shipped almost 62,000 IFAKs in total.
If you want to help (in Port Reading, NJ), join our Signal group to find all the details.
In partnership with SMART Medical Aid, we have recorded masterclass videos of practical training in Basic Life Support that you can find here on Razom’s YouTube channel. Razom is committed to providing high quality medical and tactical aid and ensuring that people can easily and effectively use it.
We encourage you to share these videos with anyone who may find them useful — budding medics, volunteer emergency responders and defenders, or anyone in a war zone.
Many of the in-kind donations from amazing supporting organizations in the U.S., coordinated by the Razom Hospitals team, made it to the most in-need hospitals in Ukraine:
Our Ukrainian partners Zdorovi and Patients of Ukraine received 8 pallets of medications from the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) which will be distributed between numerous hospitals in across the 12 most hard-hit regions of Ukraine.
Below you’ll see photos of aid in the hands of end users in those hospitals from previous in-kind donations from organizations such as Partners for World Health and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Razom procured and delivered 5 SvarMed coagulators to various hospitals across Ukraine (including Kharkiv). They aredeveloped and manufactured in Ukraine and are used while performing life saving surgical procedures to control blood loss.
The Hospitals team applied and won approval for a partnership with Airlink, a rapid-response humanitarian relief organization that links pre-qualified NGOs with commercial airlines for free air transportation of relief workers and aid cargo. We are grateful to be a part of their work and community!
After the most recent brutal attack on civilians in Ukraine (yesterday a russian airstrike hit a shopping mall in Kremenchukwhile up to 1,000 people werethere), Razom’s Advocacy team, and all of us at Razom, ask you to write and call to your representatives in government. Ask that they recognize russia as a terrorist state, a state sponsor of terrorism. Let them know that you’re watching what russia is doing in Ukraine and that it’s not okay with you. Info on how to contact can be found here.
This week we want to bring two special virtual events to your attention:
Available until Sunday, July 3,watch A Rising Fury online at the Tribeca Film Festival. Due to significant demand, this is the second time that the festival has extended the viewing window for this incredible film. Back in 2014 Razom issued a $5,000 grant, a significant sum for our organization at the time, to help fund the producing of this documentary. It follows two hopeful Ukrainian idealists from the peaceful protests in Kyiv in 2013 to the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Pavlo and Svitlana met and fell in love at the Maidan Revolution and were filmed over 8 years with several expeditions to the frontlines of the war. Pavlo loses his family home from the invasion and joins the Ukrainian military. Both find themselves on the battle lines, protecting their land, democracy, and their relationship. You can watch the film here.
On Friday, July 1 at 1:00 pm EST, join the Razom Advocacy Team and American expert and scholar Terrell Jermaine Starr for a discussion on the importance of celebrating Ukraine on the 4th of July this year. Click here to set a reminder and join (virtually).
Meanwhile in New York:
On July 1, 10PM – 5AM at the Knockdown Center in Queens, NECHTO record label will showcase for the first time outside of Ukraine. In 2020 and 2021 the label held a series of large rave parties in Kyiv which drew thousands of attendants from 21 countries. In 2022 NECHTO was scheduled once again in Kyiv, but due to Russian aggression in Ukraine, it didn’t run. This time with an amazing lineup of talent, all ticket proceeds will go to Razom.
On Wednesday, July 27 from 6-9:30PM the Ukrainian Institute of America is hosting the Sunflower Gala fundraising for Razom’s humanitarian relief work. The evening will include a special menu designed by Veselka, and special performances by Pavlo Glyntov, Vira Slyvotzky, and Dan Bower.
Also virtually:
On Wednesday, July 13 at 1pm EST, join playwrights Anastasiia Kosodii, Lena Lagushonkova and Ukrainian theatre specialist Molly Flynn for an online discussion of theatre’s role in shaping political agency, supporting resistance efforts and community organizing in Ukraine. Produced and organized by thedramaturgs’ network in partnership with the Ukranian Institute in Kyiv, Ukrainian Institute in London and Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre, all donations from the event will go to Razom.
You might have noticed a new series of blog posts on Razom’s website in the “Updates” section titled Razom Says Dyakuyu, meaning “thank you” in Ukrainian. We want to spotlight some amazing stories of generosity, support, and simple organizing to fundraise for Razom’s work in helping Ukraine. We’ve collected a lot of these stories over the past 4+ months, and they continue to sustain us and inspire us. Below are two recent spotlights (click on the links to read the stories!).
This post is part of our series Razom Says “Dyakuyu.” Dyakuyu means “thank you” in Ukrainian. Our work supporting Ukraine and getting humanitarian aid on the ground where it is needed most, would not be possible without generous donors. We will be highlighting the work, donations, and stories of several individuals and organizations who have agreed to be publicly featured on our website.
Our amazing volunteers and donors all over the world have responded in creative ways to support Razom for Ukraine and this solidarity has taken different shapes – including that of a tasty Ukrainian dumpling, varenyk. Or more precisely, thousands of varenyky.
Inspired by their Baba, the Ukrainian word for grandmother, New York-based sisters Natalka and Yulia Horbachevsky, along with some of their cousins, organized a varenyk sale in the New York City, Westchester, and Orange county areas. A family-run pop-up fundraising initiative was born along with an Instagram account and a website called “Baba Aid for Ukraine.”
Over the course of a week, they prepared over 1,600 beautiful, half-moon potato-stuffed dumplings for friends and colleagues to purchase. In addition to all the varenyky, the Horbachevsky family cooked up 50 pounds of tsybulya, fried onions (a delicious topping for the dumplings that are also sometimes called pierogies). Proceeds from the sale went toward Razom’s Emergency Response fund. It was a big undertaking by a single family focused on providing vital support to the many families in Ukraine separated and impacted by russia’s brutal war.
Despite the massive quantity of varenyky produced, no sooner had the fundraiser been announced, the “sold out” phrase was splashed across their webpage. To anyone ever exposed to a Ukrainian baba’s cooking, this isn’t a big surprise!
And it wasn’t only the taste of varenyky with tsybulya that drew supporters, people sent money to the Horbachevsky’s account without expecting any potato dumplings in exchange. Varenyky or not, people rushed to take part in this initiative to support Razom’s humanitarian relief efforts.
“Our sales, coupled with very generous donations, far exceeded our expectations for this drive,” Natalka told Razom when she reached out asking how they could transfer $18,500 of collected funds.
Razom and all the people who we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to the Horbachevsky family for their support and the incredible cooking initiative!
