Hi,

 

This is Cheryl.

 

The last fundraiser you may have heard about from me was for making face shields in 2020 for the Covid Pandemic. Thank you for supporting that . I made and sent a few hundred face shields to various healthcare workers and vulnerable people. Most of them went to the Navajo nation. I couldn't update you on it because I accidentally deleted the page last year.

 

This time, I am raising funds to order supplies to help Ukranian refugees' pets and children. From my artwork, you may have noticed I have a deep fondness for painting animals and children. They are the most innocent of us and I have a protective instinct towards them.   

ANY (seriously, any) amount that you can donate is welcomed.  

 

In the news, I noticed many Ukrainians are traveling with their babies, young children and/or animals. I know we all agree that the situation in Uktraine is a terrifying atrocity and the suffering immense. I feel a calling to help people travel with their little ones and so far, it's one aspect where there may not be as much attention and donations.

 

I want to send as many travel items as we can to refugee centers in Poland and Romania and hopefully Ukraine (see below), perhaps Hungary.

 

I've been in contact with various shelters and refugee centers where I can ship items I order from Germany. I wanted to collect items here and ship them directly, but the shipping costs are prohibitive (over $325 for 35-40 pounds) and I want as much of the funds as possible to go directly to purchasing the items. I'd also like the items to get there as soon as possible.

 

These are what I want to order :

 

1. Pet backpacks (to carry small dogs or cats on their backs so their hands are free. Also to keep the smaller animals safe and not wander off at night).

2. 1-2 rolling pet carriers (I have seen donations of carriers in the news, but they all need to be carried by hand. I think that can get too heavy and awkward over time).

3. Some boots for the larger dogs walking long distances and in winter.

4. Some baby slings (for the same reason as #1). (I have seen many strollers being donated, so I am only focusing on baby slings).

 

I also want to make it easier for people to leave with their pets so they don't have to abandon them. Also to make it easier to travel with small children so the parents can use their hands for doing other tasks - like holding luggage, gathering food. (I can't believe I'm writing these sentences).

 

 

My next goal is to get some of these items into Ukraine itself. I am communicating with various shelters inside of Ukraine to find out where the items should go and who could pick them up and distribute them - safely. The shelters have started to respond to me, but there is a little language barrier that I'm working through. I also missed a call from DoGood Romania this morning, but they did eventually text me a contact where I can send goods to Romania.

 

I have seen in Ukranian shelter posts that large numbers of pets are being abandoned in various cities, likely because they can't figure out how to travel with them. I can't imagine how hard that must be. I think animal companions can be so helpful in times of great stress and I would like to prevent the fear and sadness in animals being left behind, even more so in times of war with shelling and bullets and the winter cold...so the sooner I can get something into the cities, the better (crossing fingers and praying).

 

I will buy as many items as I can as soon as funds come in and do it on an on-going basis and keep you updated on what is purchased. I will not be waiting to raise the entire amount before I order goods because people need them now.

 

Some sample costs are: $20-40 euros for backpack carriers, $76-150 euros for rolling carriers, $18-45 euros for dog boots, 50-120 euros for baby slings. I will be ordering the first items tonight or tomorrow with $ donated by a friend. They should arrive in Poland by Friday/Monday.

All funds raised will be for purchasing and shipping.  

THANK you for participating in this effort to keep Ukranian families together and make it a wee bit easier to travel and sleep with their animal companions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With all of my heart,

Cheryl