Help a Ukrainian Family come to Huntsville, AL!

Kelly Polo Wheeler is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hello! After a few months of working with Welcome.US and the US Government's "Uniting For Ukraine" (U4U) program, we can finally sponsor a Ukrainian family fleeing the war to come to the United States. Viktoria and her son Artem's (7 yrs) lives changed on February 24, 2022. She fled her town of Melitopol to escape the Russian soldiers surrounding her city with only a backpack. During the dangerous evacuation, she avoided constant shelling, went through multiple Russian checkpoints, was nearly trampled, and rode hundreds of miles in trains and buses crammed full of people, all to make it to the relative safety of Warsaw. From there, she boarded a plane to Israel, where she is currently in a temporary shelter.

Viktoria and Artem's hometown of Melitopol is now Russian-occupied, and she does not know when she will be able to return. The US Government is offering a two-year “humanitarian parole” through the U4U program. After two years, she will have to obtain another form of immigration status. Viktoria will live with us for the time being, and Artem will start school upon arrival. The goal is to get her a job and move into an apartment so that she can assimilate and start her life here in the states. Before the war in Ukraine, she worked as an accountant and a sales manager, but she is willing to do anything to support her family in the United States. Unfortunately, the current backlog to have a work authorization approved by the government for refugees is 6-10 months, making starting a new, independent life difficult. This is where we come in.

We have the opportunity to help Viktoria establish her life in America, and 100% of the funds raised through this GoFundMe will go to her. While we will help collect donated items (furniture, clothing, kitchen supplies, etc), there is still a substantial financial need, including:

Plane tickets from Israel to the US are our priority so Artem can restart school as soon as possible
Clothing and school supplies for the upcoming school year
Rent, utilities, food, and purchasing a car (eventually)

Any donation is so greatly appreciated to help this Ukrainian family restart their lives here in America. Thank you, thank you!!

- Much love from the Wheelers (Kelly, Corey, and kids) in Madison, Alabama #Uniting4Ukraine