Ukraine- Families Helping Families Fund

Hi everyone. I want to begin by thanking all of you for reaching out to my mom and me daily, checking in on our family in Ukraine. All your texts, phone calls and love have meant the world to us at a time like this. I can't even begin to try to put into words the last two weeks. There have been so many emotions, tears, questions and worry. As many of you know, I have my dad (Oleg), his wife (Valya) and my brother (Valentyn) living in Chernivtsi, Ukraine.

From the first attacks on Kyiv, my family has made it very clear on their decision to stay in their hometown. My family's town is at capacity now, with people coming in from all over Ukraine trying to escape the bombings. Hospitals, schools, gyms, buildings are all filling up with people from the surrounding towns leaving everything they have ever known behind.

Everyone is trying to do their part where they can. My childhood home has refugees coming through every few days. Some people stay for a night and move to the next destination while others stay longer. We've had multiple families staying in my mom's home to escape the war. My brother volunteers daily unloading the trucks with all the donations coming in from surrounding countries and transports refugees all over town to find them a place to stay. The destruction is unbearable. There is no rebuilding and no going back home because towns and cities have been completely leveled to dust.

At this time, I would like to collect money for my family and the refugee families that come through their doors. Any family running from this hell should be able to feel safe, have food on the table and a warm place to sleep. Things are flying off the shelves in stores, gas prices are just as high as here, and there is no end in sight to this war. They don't have normal days anymore. There is no school, people are barely working, and people are just getting by daily on fear, anxiety and the unknown. This money would help people move on to their final destinations, help my family feed the refugees coming through and ease their minds, even if it's just for a little bit.

There is more good in the world than just the evil we see right now. People are sticking together, helping one another. I know that my family is helping how they can, but I also know that they want to do more.

I appreciate you all taking the time to check in, always wanting to help and sending us love and prayers.