Support Woodland chapter Yolo for Ukraine

Hi, Nancy Fischer here.

-I’ve been teaching a weekly online meditation class to Ukrainians for 2 1/2 years. We started six months after the February 24 2022 invasion. It gave me insight into a courageous people in the middle of war and genocide.

-More recently, I founded the Woodland, CA https://yoloforukraine.org/ organization, which is a growing group of volunteers who want to show their support for Ukraine, and contribute in any other ways they can.

-We’ve raised $2000 in donations for tourniquets. Each $15 tourniquet can save the life of a child or adult. The tourniquets are made in Ukraine so they can get to hospitals and the front lines quickly. Go to handsonglobal.org to donate any amount.

-At our booth at the Farmer’s Market we invite people to write letters to Ukraine. These letters and kids’ artwork are so treasured that the soldiers plaster the insides of their vehicles with them, and the wounded plaster the hospital walls with the letters and artwork.

-We support the Sunflower Society which has been hosting rallies on the 24th of each month since the start of the war at the State Capitol to raise awareness and show support for Ukraine. Each event has a theme. Many of us show up regularly to these rallies. The support of regular Americans is deeply touching to immigrants as well as people in Ukraine. They worry they’ve been forgotten, but 83% of Americans support Ukraine.

-We purchased and are distributing  800 “We Stand With Ukraine”signs. People put them in their windows and carry them to marches and rallies. The value of these signs is limitless in raising awareness and taking a humanitarian stand.

-Recently we met with Congressman Mike Thompson and plan to coordinate efforts and events with him in our support for Ukraine. He’s a great supporter of Ukraine, and we look forward to working with him. 

Planning big events and small: 

-Red Cross blood drives

-show movies about Ukraine

-display Ukrainian art

-bike ride/walk in October

-place an ad showing pictures of POWs. These pictures make the war real for people and show the urgency.

-create a moveable display of “1,000 years of Ukraine history”

-host educational forums at UC Davis on Ukraine: Culture, Conflict, and Community, addressing the need for sanctions, and the facts that prove this is a genocidal war

-host a dinner of Ukrainian food prepared by a famous Sacramento Ukrainian chef. With music, displays of artwork, and an address by Congressman Thompson

UPDATE

-We have a location for the blood drive- the Woodland Methodist Church has agreed to host it. The Ukrainians will put on the event, and then the blood drawn is given where needed locally. It is the Ukrainian way of thanking Americans for their support of Ukraine

-we ran an ad showing before and after pictures of Ukrainian POWs. The Ukrainians beg us not to look away.

-we have two Ukrainian artists who are already well into their design for 

1000 Years of Ukraine History. It will be a moveable display that can be transported in a backseat and shown anywhere. It’s a six panel display showing the 5 Epochs of Ukraine History, ending with the present genocidal situation. It will be informative (how much do YOU know about Ukraine history?) and a beautiful work of art.

-we are showing a slide presentation by Sacha Chickering, who at age 18, rode his bike from Barcelona to Ukraine raising $20,000 along the way. Later, he spent 7 months in Ukraine delivering medical supplies. He’s doing a presentation June 28 at 9:45 AM at the Varsity Theater in Davis. We hope to show his presentation often, as it is a poignant look into life in war in Ukraine.

-we have several Ukrainian movies with copyrights to show- still looking for a venue. 

-we ran a press release in the Daily Democrat describing the June 24 event in Sacramento hosted by the Sunflower Society which commemorated the International Day of Support For Victims of Torture which is remembered internationally every June 26

-we will be meeting soon with Congressman Thompson’s office to plan a big summer event to support Ukraine. 

-the Congressman has promised to wear the socks he got in Ukraine to our October bike/walk fundraiser. 

We plan to hold him to his word!

We aren’t very comfortable asking for money, but our concern for the world situation and for Ukraine overcomes that. So, some of you can’t afford or aren’t ready to donate. That’s ok. Please share this link with someone you know who might be able/comfortable.

Money raised will go to continuing actual operational expenses.

Thank you so much for your support. The support of American citizens means so much to Ukrainian immigrants and the people of Ukraine. Both here, with our immigrants, as well as in Ukraine, they are touched to tears when they hear about the support of regular American citizens. We want them to know they are not forgotten in their courageous fight for freedom, independence, the restoration of their borders, and the return of their kidnapped children.

Donations in any amount will make a difference. Thank you !!