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!
In acknowledgement of all the hard work volunteers, supporters, partners, and donors have put into Razom’s Emergency Response for almost five straight months now, we’ve put together an Impact Report. We’re making history together, #Razom, and we wouldn’t be able to do it any other way. So take a look, read it, share it, and help us continue this great work for Ukraine.
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.
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 will be highlighting some of the thousands of amazing donors and fundraisers that Razom has been very fortunate to gain support of.
Razom for Ukraine was truly honored to be selected as one of the recipients of the Humble Bundle’s “Stand With Ukraine” charity effort and was awarded $5.07 million. It was to-date the largest single donation we have ever received at Razom.
Since russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Razom has been an awe-struck witness of all the different and creative ways businesses have raised and donated funds to support the Ukrainian people. Humble Bundle, a digital storefront for games, e-books, and software, strongly focused on charitable work, joined forces with game creators, publishers, and software makers who donated their items putting together an online “Stand with Ukraine” bundle with 100% of proceeds going to humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
“Like others around the world, we’ve been dismayed by the invasion of Ukraine and the resulting tragedies… together with our industry partners, we were able to bring in over $20 million for Ukraine – the single largest donation we’ve been able to make in our 11-year history. We’re extremely grateful to our community for their care and action in supporting this important cause. Even though it can’t undo the pain and devastation caused by the invasion, the funding will go a very long way in feeding, sheltering, and providing medical care for millions of refugees who have fled Ukraine since the start of the war.” – Kamini Tiwari, VP Social Impact, Humble Bundle shared in a feature article in Forbes.
Humble Bundle introduction to Razom came through one of its co-founders John Graham and his wife Olga. After a quick conversation facilitated by a common friend with one of Razom’s volunteers during the early days of March, they were inspired by Razom’s mission and concrete actions. John and Olga thought of this opportunity to help Razom raise funds and connected the dots with Humble Bundle. John worked tirelessly to enable this bundle on the back end and it certainly delivered most impressive results.
People around the globe purchased the Stand with Ukraine bundle that featured games, including Metro Exodus, developed by 4A Games (which has a studio in Kyiv), books, including Pathfinder 2nd Edition Core Rulebook, and software, including GameMaker Studio 2 Creator.
Humble Bundle’s effort from March 18 to 25 raised over $20.7 million with 473,945 bundles purchased. Razom for Ukraine received a fourth of the funds – equaling over $5M. As Dora Chomiak, Razom President, said: “From all of us at Razom, our wholehearted thank-you goes to Humble Bundle for your so not-humble, but extremely generous, support of our work. Your donation had a major impact enabling us to scale our efforts in providing critical, life-saving aid to the people of Ukraine.”
Thanks to our incredible donors, including the outstanding support of Humble Bundle, Razom for Ukraine:
Shipped hundreds of tons of tactical medical equipment and critical medical supplies to Ukraine:
Assembled more than 43,000 individual first aid kits (IFAKs) and over 900 medical backpacks.
Made hundreds of trips carrying tactical medicine cargo (fulfilling over 1000 deliveries) prioritizing hot spot cities and regions where Ukrainians are actively repelling russian invaders.
Evacuated 31 families (totaling over 500 people) with children with special needs to safety.
Partnered with more than 40 organizations on the ground to provide tens of thousands of hot meals, distribute thousands of grocery packages to the elderly and disabled, support families of veterans, renovate homes for displaced families. We have deployed over $1.6M for these programs to date.
Humble Bundle continues supporting Ukraine and Razom through their work contributing a portion of the proceeds from their other bundles.
Razom and all the Ukrainians who have received much-needed help say, “dyakuyu” – Ukrainian for thank you – to Humble Bundle.
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
Razom for Ukraine was honored to be awarded a 2022 Village Award from Village Preservation, a non-profit group that advocates for the preservation of architecture and culture in several Lower Manhattan neighborhoods. The awards honor the people, organizations, and businesses that make the culturally and architecturally historic Greenwich Village, East Village, and NoHo neighborhoods so special.
Dora Chomiak, Razom’s president, accepted the award on behalf of the thousands of volunteers and donors that power Razom. Ukrainians have deep ties to the area with waves of immigrants arriving and settling in the early 1900s and again post-World War II.
“The Village has always been a place where people come together to make art, to make community. And very importantly to take action… This community has come together to deliver food to hundreds of villages across Ukraine,” Chomiak said while accepting the award on Tuesday evening at The Cooper Union’s Great Hall. “Ukrainians have been an integral part of the Village for more than 150 years. We are standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Razom was born in the winter of 2014 during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity in the historic Ukrainian East Village and has called this important New York City neighborhood home ever since. Razom has been bringing together community members for over eight years who care about building a prosperous and free Ukraine.
Since russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Razom has focused its efforts on distributing over $35 million of aid into Ukraine where it is needed most.
Event emcee and artist Penny Arcade said that since russia’s invasion, the entire Village community has been impacted. “I know that all of us who live downtown…felt a really heartfelt attack in ourselves because of our relationship with the Ukrainian community,” she said.
Razom has felt the support of its East Village community from fundraisers and donations to seeing Ukrainian flags flying in the neighborhood.
Razom video presented on the big stage at Cooper Union
“I know it’s hard… there is a fatigue that sets in. But your flags on your fire escapes matter. When we talk with our colleagues and our friends and our cousins…that support is felt. The rallies in the streets, the donations, the time, every single day people express how important it is for them to see that and to feel that when they are in Ukraine,” Chomiak said during her speech. “Freedom is never free, but the price we are paying now is going to be lower than if we do not pay it right now…And this is exactly why Ukraine will win. We need your help to stand with Ukraine, to continue to be part of that community that cares.”
Razom volunteers in the audience cheering on our thanks to the city of New York and New YorkersRazom President Dora Chomiak’s thank you speech
Razom was honored along with our neighbors including Astor Place Hairstylists, Bonsignour, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Middle Collegiate Church, Pageant Print Shop, Zinc Bar, and Regina Kellerman Award recipient Jane Friedman and Howl! Arts. The Cooper Union co-hosted the event.
Razom is thankful for all the support it has felt in New York City – home to the largest Ukrainian community in the United States.
