My name is Katie Zagor, along with my husband Don Wyma, we are fundraising on behalf of a Ukrainian mother Yuliia Surzhko and her two children. On August 15th, she had to leave her parents and husband in Ukraine as she and her kids left Ukraine with almost nothing, fleeing the war.

We are raising money to help Yuliia and her son Yaroslav (8) and daughter Zhenya (16) as they hope to start a new, peaceful, and safe life in Chicago.

While every day is filled with fear and worry for her loved ones back in Ukraine, Yuliia has put on a brave face for her kids and is determined to return a childhood that was stolen from them. Merely two days after their arrival to the US, with the help of Roman (her brother-in-law, whom the family is staying with) she enrolled her kids in school.

As it turns out Yaroslav is in our son's 3rd grade class in Hawthorn Elementary South and is also on his soccer team that my husband Don is coaching.

We met Yuliia, Yaroslav, and Zhenya during our first soccer game this past Saturday. They have been so humbled and grateful to be here and for the smallest acts of kindness that people have shown them. Watching Yaroslav beam with joy after the game is what his life should be filled with - laughter, friends, happiness...not war.

Please help this family as they build a new life and get on their feet.

Roman Surzhko will act as the beneficiary of this fundraiser and will transfer any donations directly to Yuliia and her kids.

Thank you!