Hello, I am Helen. I am a chef and a mama of 4, and what’s more importantly - a Ukrainian, living in Brooklyn, New York. I immigrated to US in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and a war on eastern border started. I felt a threat back then, but what is happening now - is unspeakable.
However this story is not about me. I immigrated to US by choice and will and most of the people are being pushed out by bombings and killing. I still have imminent family and lots of friends who are in Ukraine. Some of them are trying to leave with their small children, some have left to Poland and Germany already. And what is more heartbreaking - some cannot leave because they cannot abandon elderly parents or simply because they are scared to be on the road and also can’t financially afford to.
I am amazed to see so many people in my community who are willing to help and here I am trying raise money to help these 23 particular individuals, whose life is in great danger right now. Some of them haven’t had electricity or gas for last 7 days, some of them spend their nights the bombing shelters since February 25th. Some had already lost their houses due to bombing and there is nothing left from their towns. There is a lot of uncertainty in every day life. There is not enough food, no promise when the war is going to stop, or if they will be able to get out if it gets too dangerous.
To all those who are able to donate - even a small donation can make a difference. We are raising money for any needs they might have - transportation, lost jobs, gas to get them to the border, food, tickets, utilities, that Ukrainian government still expects them to pay. Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart and hearts of my Ukrainian family and friends for any help you can provide.
To those who are local and live in New York, with the help of a local coffee shop Roots, we are organizing a Ukrainian dinner night with lots of food, drinks and music on March 19, 2022 at 6pm. Anyone who can donate is welcome! And here is a list of everyone you will be helping:
Anastasiya Kyleshova and her 2 kids, - Diana (16) and Bogdan (10) - Zaporizhzhya
Tatiana Panchenko - Zaporizhzhya
Gennadiy Panchenko - Zaporizhzhya
Ekaterina Lyudinova and Zlata(10) - Zaporizhzhya
Valentina Samsonenko (expecting in March ) and her son (1) - Vynnitsya
Anastasiya Khymych and her daughter Anna - Vynnitsya
Serhiy Samsonenko and his 2 daughters - Vynnitsya
Yuriy Siroshtan - Pologi, Zaporizhzhya
Vlada Lelechenko - Pologi, Zaporizhzhya
Irina Govtvyan and her son Dennis (6) - Zaporizhzhya
Sergiy Bondarenko and his son (2) - Zaporizhzhya
Galyna Kaminskaya - Gulyai Pole, Zaporizhzhya
Maryna Pinchuk and her daughters Alyssa(1) and Vika (17) - Irpin, Kyiv
Julia Gabora and her son Marc(7) - Chernivtsi
Slava Ukraini!
