Operation Ukraine: Clothes for Kids
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DONATE CLOTHES! Click “Read more” and get all details on how below!
A bitter, cold winter will soon arrive in Ukraine, and for families who have been displaced by war, that means a struggle to keep their children warm - and avoid sickness and suffering.
Gas for heating often isn’t available in the small towns, shelters and small apartments where these families are surviving. Some ran for their lives with only the clothes on their backs, leaving their winter coats and clothing.
Those lucky enough to grab a winter coat, clothing or boots now realize their children have grown, and these no longer fit.
With little or no work income for most families, and many moms caring for their children alone while their husbands are at war, buying new isn’t an option.
They are struggling to find enough food day-to-day, with prices up 200% or more!
BUT TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP FAMILIES KEEP THEIR KIDS WARM THIS WINTER!
Join Operation Ukraine to make this winter less difficult for children and families in war. Despite the war, the shipping company we’ve used for almost 20 years is still working!
Thanks to a generous sponsor, we’ve hired an on-the-ground assistant, Yuliya. She is mom to a 7-year-old girl (they’re pictured below.) They ran for their lives with only the clothes on their backs from Mariupol, the large city that was destroyed by the Russian army. Yuliya’s husband was arrested at the time and is held captive in a Russian prison camp now. They wait in Ukraine for his release.
Yuliya is currently identifying internally displaced families in Ukraine with children who desperately need clothing and assistance to survive the winter. They include kids of all ages, boys and girls.
We’ll be shipping cases of YOUR donations to Yuliya, and she’ll deliver packages to families in need through fall and winter.
We’ll also provide $25 per child for as many children as possible (number depends on your financial donations) to buy inexpensive boots locally.
HERE’S WHERE YOU CAN HELP!
- Box up the clothing you no longer need and send to us. We’ll be sending large parcels directly to our Ukrainian partner!
- Spread the word! We can’t do this on our own. Do a clothing drive where you are, locally. Gather clothes from family, friends, place of worship, workplace, etc.
- Bargain hunt, purchase…and send to us! If you love clearance racks, FB Marketplace, eBay or thrift stores, grab some good deals for a good cause and send them to us!
- Donate towards shipping costs and boots bought in Ukraine for kids. Together, we can get things there ASAP and keep those little feet warm and dry.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What size clothes can I send?
Sizes from newborn to 14/16 XL kids are needed, for boys and girls.
What kind of clothes should I send you?
Right now, we are shipping warm winter clothing. In then next section, there’s a list of the kinds of things that are most needed.
IF YOU HAVE spring/summer clothing, you can save for us or send now. We will do a warm
weather clothing drive starting in February.
Any other important tips on donating clothing?
PLEASE make sure all donations are clean and in excellent condition. Because will we pay to ship things, we want them to be new OR to have a lot of life left. Second-hand is fine, as long as they’re in good condition.
Why are you sending clothes from here, but buying boots there?
The availability of winter clothing is spotty in Ukraine now, due to shortages. Also, kids’ clothing is usually lesser quality AND much more expensive in Ukraine. And if YOU gather clothing to donate, we can clothe even more children!
We will NOT ship footwear, because the cost of sending them is high - it’s done by weight. Also, shoes should be tried on if possible.
For $25, a family can buy decent boots for one child. The number of kids we can provide this for will depend on how much money we raise, after covering shipping costs for clothing.
Who should I share this with?
Anyone and everyone! Neighbors, family, friends, your faith community, colleagues. Everyone can help (and de-clutter at the same time! Win-win!)
Just copy and paste the link to this GoFundMe page with some words of your own, text or email - easy! Don’t forget to follow up.
WHAT WE ARE COLLECTING
***All items are needed for both boys and girls, sizes newborn, Brant, toddler, young child, older child and pre-teen.***
- Warm winter coats
- Scarves
- Mittens/gloves
- Hats (knit caps)
- Sweaters
- Long sleeve tees
- Hoodies/Sweatshirts
- Long/thermal under layers
- Thick tights
- Jeans (good condition only)
- Joggers/Sweatpants/Warm athletic pants
- Pants (including leggings/jeggings for girls, khakis, warmer dress pants)
- Winter dresses
- Winter skirts
- NEW socks (full length dark or black preferred)
- NEW underwear (colors or darker preferred; boys do not wear woven boxer shorts - boxer briefs, briefs or bikinis preferred)
INFO ON MONETARY DONATIONS
Funds for shipping and purchase of boots locally are very welcomed and needed! Please donate here on this GoFundMe page.
***If you prefer a different method to send funds, please contact Kelly at the email address below, or on FB Messenger (Facebook.com/kellylytle)***
WHERE TO SEND/DELIVER CLOTHING DONATIONS
Ship your boxes of donated clothing to:
Drop your donations at the following locations in or around Omaha, NE:
- The UPS Store, 7914 W Dodge Rd,
Omaha
- The UPS Store, 505 Cornhusker Rd Ste 105, Bellevue
To ship donations, please contact our director, Kelly Lytle, for shipping address:
Facebook Messenger: facebook.com/kellylytle
Questions? Contact Kelly at:
THANK YOU KIND PEOPLE! Thank you from the volunteers at Operation Ukraine, the infants and children who will be warm, and the parents who will have one less terrifying detail to worry about this winter.
They will never forget that strangers across the ocean cared about their children during the war.
Organiser
Kelly Lytle
Organiser
Omaha, NE
