Ways to support Ukraine, refugees & those helping them (please share info & links)

[Sylvia]

Starting a new thread in OTBT (no politics in here please):

@Sylvia, maybe we should start a thread specifically about ways to donate? Someone just asked a question about it in the Dance Hall, and I realized that I've read of several ways to donate (between the ones Sadovsky recommended and yours and then maybe another one or two in between); but they quickly get buried by all the other news in these long Ukraine threads, which would make them hard to find or link to when people are looking to make donations.

ETA: Just saw that @taz'smum has started a separate thread to support UKR figure skaters in PI - link:

Messages of support for Ukrainian Skaters

This thread is to post messages of support for Ukrainian skaters. Aleksandra Nazarova is currently in Kharkiv, which is currently under heavy attack. If anyone posts a message of support for Aleksandra Nazarova - I will screenshot it and pass it on to her. If you'd prefer to private message...

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[Sylvia]

Chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen (https://wck.org/) are feeding refugees at different borders in Ukraine:

World Central Kitchen | Fearing for safety, thousands of families flee their homes in Ukraine

In the early months of the invasion, WCK served millions of fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing home as well as people remaining in the country. Now, we are supporting frontline communities in eastern and southern Ukraine where the need for food is urgent.

wck.org

To donate: https://donate.wck.org/give/236738/#!/donation/checkout

 

[Sylvia]

Tweeted by author Andrei Kurkov (“a Ukrainian novelist and an independent thinker who writes in Russian” who is still in Ukraine with his family):

https://twitter.com/x/status/1498334230740353035

Link:

Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital.

War doesn’t end at the frontline. Evacuating the wounded and treating the sick at the front since 2014.

www.medbat.org.ua

 

[Sylvia]

Want to support the people in Ukraine? Here's how you can help

Several organizations are asking for assistance in helping people affected by the Russian invasion.

www.npr.org

 

[Tesla]

Quilters Stand for Ukraine Fundraiser

Links are below the video

 

[attyfan]

Here is another:

Ukraine Crisis Fund

Give today to help meet the needs of those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine, including food assistance, shelter, psychosocial support, and more.

donate.worldvision.org

 

[Allskate]

Chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen (https://wck.org/) are feeding refugees at different borders in Ukraine:

World Central Kitchen | Fearing for safety, thousands of families flee their homes in Ukraine

In the early months of the invasion, WCK served millions of fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing home as well as people remaining in the country. Now, we are supporting frontline communities in eastern and southern Ukraine where the need for food is urgent.

wck.org

To donate: https://donate.wck.org/give/236738/#!/donation/checkout

Cross-posting some information I have posted over the last week.

World Central Kitchen is a great organization and one of my favorite charities. It frequently gets into crisis areas before NGOs like the Red Cross do, and they almost immediately were giving out meals at the Ukrainian/Polish borders and mobilizing at other border points as well as taking food into Ukraine itself. They focus on providing food to victims and to the people helping the victims.

However, undoubtedly, more than food will be needed. Doctors Without Borders is a great organization. Save the Children apparently was working in Ukraine even before the war started and there clearly are Ukrainian children who need all kinds of help.

Charity Navigator is an organization that vets charities to make sure they are honest and rates their effectiveness and how much of their donations actually go to their charitable purposes. They have a page with a list of well-vetted charities related to Ukraine. I'm sure there are many others not listed here:

Ukraine Relief & Recovery

Highly rated charities involved in humanitarian relief, recovery, and peace-building efforts.

www.charitynavigator.org

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks to @Spun Silver for this suggestion re. Etsy:

If anyone would like to get help directly to the grassroots in Ukraine, you can actually do that via Etsy which has a number of Ukrainian sellers who have been posting in the Etsy forums. I am in touch with a few. Some are placing digital listings in their shops which are actually donations. One I messaged with last night said that her area in the west has "only" had two strikes so far, so - although she and her husband are taking turns sleeping so that one is awake in the event of an alarm to hide the children - they are helping refugees from other parts of Ukraine and sending help to those in the north and south. Two sellers I have messaged with that have the donation listings are below, or you could go to the forums and approach others yourselves, as I did, or do a localized search on Etsy to find other Ukrainian sellers. (Etsy closed all its Ukrainian shops temporarily as a default setting because of the war, so you might find shops "on vacation," but those that are able to conduct business have reopened theirs.)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LOTpottery - Olga (various listings, different amounts)
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MilaSewingRoom - Liudmila (Pray for Ukraine $10 listing)
Also:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShufliaCrafts - Marta (her shop does not have the donation listings, but when I asked her how I could help, she told me a donation would be used "to support Ukrainian Army, because these are the only people who protect us."
Etsy forums:

Search - Welcome to the Etsy Community

community.etsy.com

 

[Sylvia]

Keep the Kyiv Independent going, organized by Jakub Parusinski

The Kyiv Independent team has worked tirelessly to bring the world trusted, importan… Jakub Parusinski needs your support for Keep the Kyiv Independent going

www.gofundme.com

Jakub Parusinski is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Kyiv Independent.

A few words from Jakub

Ukraine is facing an unprecedented attack. The Kyiv Independent continues to work, bringing the world trusted, important information about the facts on the ground.

We need your support in this difficult and unpredictable task. From cyberattacks, bombings, ground invasions - it is hard to predict what the days ahead will bring and what we will need to respond.

All this is a huge trial for a media launched just 3 months ago. But together we can overcome.

Note: The Fix together with media across Europe are raising funds a broad group of Ukrainian media - please consider supporting them: www.gofundme.com/manage/keep-ukraines-media-going

***

You helped us launch the Kyiv Independent!

For many years, the English-speaking world relied on the Kyiv Post for trustworthy news from Ukraine.

But on November 8, the Kyiv Post owner shut down the distinguished 26-year-old newspaper and fired its entire team. The staff considers it retaliation for defending editorial independence.

This was the end of the independent Kyiv Post as we know it — but it doesn’t have to be the end of high-quality local reporting from Ukraine.

The team launched a new media outlet, the Kyiv Independent.

It is crucial to bring credible news from Ukraine to the world. Especially when Russian forces are working hard to distort the perception of Ukraine abroad.

We are asking you to stand up to it together with us. This campaign is run by Jakub Parusinski, the chief financial officer of the Kyiv Independent, who is based in London.

We are not backed by a rich owner or an oligarch. We will rely first and foremost on fundraising from our readers and donors, and later on commercial activities.

If you feel like pledging a monthly donation, you are welcome to become our patron on Patreon. Patrons contribute anywhere from $5 a month and enjoy benefits. Over 2100 people have become our patrons already.

Join us on this adventure. Support independent journalism in Ukraine!

Subscribe to our newsletter, Ukraine Daily, here: https://mailchi.mp/9d739c3b1dd3/ukraine-daily

 

[Vagabond]

Want to support the people in Ukraine? Here's how you can help

 

[MacMadame]

The Cat Cafe in Lviv is staying open to help their neighbors. They are donating 20% of all their proceeds to the Ukrainian army.

If you want to give them some money, they have a contact in Canada and 50% of what you send him goes to the army and 50% to the Cat Cafe.

You can read more about it on their Facebook page:

Cat Cafe | Lviv

Cat Cafe, Lviv, Ukraine. 16,945 likes · 149 talking about this · 7,107 were here. В Cat Cafe ви можете поспілкуватись та побавитись з 20 кішечками різних порід

www.facebook.com

 

[allezfred]

@airgelaal @babayaga - if you know of anyone who needs to get out of Ukraine to a safe country, Irish online news site The Journal have published an article in Ukrainian about the procedures involved in travelling to Ireland.

Якщо ви - українець, який в’їжджає до Ірландії, ось що вам потрібно знати

Якщо ви – українець, який в’їжджає до Ірландії або збирається подорожувати сюди, ось що вам потрібно знати про тимчасове скасування візи і про доступні для вас варіанти, коли ви прибуваєте до Ірландії.

www.thejournal.ie

 

[skategal]

For Canadians:

This donation page is closed.

donate.redcross.ca

 

[reut]

Mila & Ashton match donations here:

Stand With Ukraine, organized by Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher

***LATEST UPDATE: Click here for April 13th video update from Mila and Ashton *** … Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher needs your support for Stand With Ukraine

www.gofundme.com

 

[attyfan]

Not sure if this is the right place, but - for drinkers:

Bar owners are swapping out Moscow Mules for Kyiv Mules

As Russia's assault on Ukraine continues, American bar and restaurant owners are hoping a small word change will help show their solidarity with the Ukrainian people. In a move reminiscent of the "freedom fries" fad of the early aughts, they're taking Moscow Mules off the menu and replacing them...

www.cnn.com

(if this belongs elsewhere, please move it)

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting here:

Just heard this on Klove radio. Some people are booking Airbnb's in Ukraine to get money to the people there. Airbnb is waving host fees. Another way to support Ukraine!

 

[Wyliefan]

Nadiia Bashynska, who runs her own candymaking business when she isn't skating, is making and selling a new line of white chocolates to raise money for Ukraine. Here are her Instagram post about it and her Etsy link.

N.B Cocoa Kind on Instagram: "Help and Donate to save Lives in Ukraine now! When purchasing these Vegan Artisan patriotic ginger white chocolates we will donate all of the profits made to the savelives.ua ! With the current terrible event in Ukraine,

166 likes, 1 comments - n.b_cocoakind on February 26, 2022: "Help and Donate to save Lives in Ukraine now! When purchasing these Vegan Artisan patriotic ginger white chocolates we will donate all of the profits made to the savelives.ua ! With the current terrible event in Ukraine, we are all...

www.instagram.com

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewellery, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

 

[reut]

Beautiful idea how to help specific people in Ukraine right now: book any Airbnb apartment (of private people, not companies, for example use filter to identify hosts who Airbnb spare rooms in their own home; also, contact them and make sure they can access that money; Airbnb are waiving all guest and host fees on all bookings in Ukraine right now).

https://twitter.com/quentquarantino/status/1499441114738212871

https://twitter.com/bchesky/status/1499867530772377604

https://twitter.com/DimaggioEth/status/1499333337780998147

 

[Jot the Dot Dot]

There are many reasons to admire violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. This is one of them: Concert For Ukraine

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

Not sure if this is the right place, but - for drinkers:

Bar owners are swapping out Moscow Mules for Kyiv Mules

As Russia's assault on Ukraine continues, American bar and restaurant owners are hoping a small word change will help show their solidarity with the Ukrainian people. In a move reminiscent of the "freedom fries" fad of the early aughts, they're taking Moscow Mules off the menu and replacing them...

www.cnn.com

(if this belongs elsewhere, please move it)

I've been making these but I call them "Ukrainian Nightingales." Significant other and I now have A LOT of Ukrainian vodka and sparkling wine to drown our sorrows with.

 

[Sylvia]

Sting sings "Russians" (1985), accompanied by cellist Ramiro Belgardt: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CavQo-xF4xp/

I’ve only rarely sung this song in the many years since it was written, because I never thought it would be relevant again. But, in the light of one man’s bloody and woefully misguided decision to invade a peaceful, unthreatening neighbor, the song is, once again, a plea for our common humanity. For the brave Ukrainians fighting against this brutal tyranny and also the many Russians who are protesting this outrage despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment - We, all of us, love our children. Stop the war.

Thanks to @szumowska.m for helping us connect to this organization: http://helpukraine.center/en

 

[2sk8]

Ukrainian American figure skater, Matej Silecky, has pushed through a collection of Ukrainian themed NFTs that he had been working on, and the proceeds from which will now be donated to support aid to Ukraine through the Ukrainian World Congress' Unite With Ukraine fundraiser and/or as direct crypto donations to the Crypto Fund endorsed by the Ukrainian government to send aid to Ukraine.

You can mint NFTs in Solana crypto currency here: https://kozakfoxeverui.vercel.app/

For those interested in history leading up to this Russian invasion, Matej also has a Free PBS Learning Media Resource linked to his documentary about Ukrainian WW2 history that coincidentally went live on March 1.

 

[PRlady]

Hi all. My Israeli stepson is going to Switzerland Thursday to visit his sister. He would then like to volunteer for organization working at Ukrainian border and we are much in favor. Doesn’t speak Ukrainian but his English is excellent. I know these are organizations for donations but is there a list of places where he can volunteer?

 

[Debbie S]

Hi all. My Israeli stepson is going to Switzerland Thursday to visit his sister. He would then like to volunteer for organization working at Ukrainian border and we are much in favor. Doesn’t speak Ukrainian but his English is excellent. I know these are organizations for donations but is there a list of places where he can volunteer?

I know someone who arrived in Poland today to volunteer with the JCC in Krakow, which is helping refugees but obviously not at the border.

If anyone wants to contribute while getting baked goods, small bakeries across Europe and the U.S. (and there's one in BC) are taking part in Hamantashen for Ukraine: https://www.hamantashenforukraine.com/

Hamantashen are the fruit-filled pastry eaten on the Jewish holiday of Purim, which is next week, but you don't need to be Jewish to eat them.

 

[reut]

Links proposed by "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert", I trust they checked them well:

https://twitter.com/colbertlateshow/status/1501013719287058436

 

[Spun Silver]

Hi all. My Israeli stepson is going to Switzerland Thursday to visit his sister. He would then like to volunteer for organization working at Ukrainian border and we are much in favor. Doesn’t speak Ukrainian but his English is excellent. I know these are organizations for donations but is there a list of places where he can volunteer?

The Knights of Columbus (a Catholic group) are working with refugees. The KOC are very volunteer driven, with chapters in most (many?) towns and parishes, so they might be receptive.

Knights of Columbus in Ukraine and Poland Aid Refugees | National Review

The Catholic fraternal organization has set up ‘mercy huts’ in Poland, right across the border from Ukraine.

www.nationalreview.com

Knights of Columbus From Around the World Rapidly Respond to Need in Ukraine

NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Knights of Columbus today announced that Knights and their families, as well as communities ar...

markets.businessinsider.com

 

[MacMadame]

Hi all. My Israeli stepson is going to Switzerland Thursday to visit his sister. He would then like to volunteer for organization working at Ukrainian border and we are much in favor. Doesn’t speak Ukrainian but his English is excellent. I know these are organizations for donations but is there a list of places where he can volunteer?

If he can cook, maybe the World Central Kitchen? They probably also need people to do grunt work and also to serve the meals.

 

[Vagabond]

Links posted by LinkedIn:

How you can support Ukraine | LinkedIn

Nonprofits around the world are gathering funds and donations to help the Ukrainian people.

www.linkedin.com

 

[Allskate]

Hi all. My Israeli stepson is going to Switzerland Thursday to visit his sister. He would then like to volunteer for organization working at Ukrainian border and we are much in favor. Doesn’t speak Ukrainian but his English is excellent. I know these are organizations for donations but is there a list of places where he can volunteer?

That is wonderful that he wants to help. If he doesn't have a place to stay, it may be that he is taking up a room that could go to a refugee, but it may be that there is a place for him to stay and be very helpful. It might be good for him to contact synagogues and other Jewish charitable organizations in Poland or other border countries to see how he can help them. I saw a report on CNN that the World Jewish Congress and the Jewish community in Moldova is doing a lot to help refugees. That is happening in a number of border countries. I also came across this article about Poland:

A Polish hotel recovering from its own tragic past has become a refuge for Ukrainians

The Hotel Ilan in Poland has a renowned and troubled history for the country's Jewish community. Now, it has found a new purpose helping Ukrainians fleeing the war Russia has wrought on their country.

www.npr.org

 

[Garden Kitty]

The WeRateDogs twitter account has linked some charities that that are supporting refugees and their companion animals. They also had a link to IFAW that is working with their shelter partners in Ukraine.