In 2022, Nataliya Ilkiv painted a collection of artwork representing Ukraine to raise funds for those affected by the war. As both an artist and a hairdresser, she wanted to use her creative voice to unite people through art. Nataliya established personal connections in Ukraine and Poland in order to directly fund Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines and support refugee women and kids in Poland with food and clothing.
Nataliya personally flew to Poland to donate the proceeds from our fund-raising efforts. Not only were able to financially assist, we were able to physically help and hear the stories of women and children who had to flee. The spirit of helping people not only through donating funds but connecting with their stories and seeing the effects firsthand makes this war just a little bit easier to fight.
Our mission this year is to host a fundraiser to showcase our culture, its beauty and to raise awareness of the actual events currently happening in Ukraine. The hostilities continue to intensify, threatening the lives and wellbeing of tens of thousands of families. The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verified over 8.7 thousand deaths of civilians in Ukraine during the war just as of April 2023.
Here's a true story from one of the soldiers from the front lines … and how military equipment is used after battles in a positive way.
A man named Stefan from the Ukrainian Air Force (from the 81st brigade) just finished a round in battle. After the battle he started collecting all the cartridges and empty shells. Then a new battle began. They fought. After, most Ukrainian soldiers took a break ,some drank water, some smoked, some ate but Stefan proceeded in collecting cartridges yet again.The soldiers ask him to stop collecting and take a break before another battle began. His response was “I can't, I promised the volunteers. I can't say no to them, they help us. I'll collect two more bags and then rest. “
The cartridges are painted by children in schools and women artists around Ukraine. They are distributed by volunteers and sold for profit in order to raise funds in support of Ukrainian troops on the front lines. Something so brutal and negative can be turned into a pice of art that will forever live in time as a reminder of hope and resilience.
The conflict in Ukraine has affected many families, including those who have loved ones fighting on the front lines. Ukrainians all around the world have come together to help in any way they can. Among them are Ukrainian women who are using their skills to make a difference. Some are sewing uniforms, while others are painting cartridges collected by soldiers after battle. Ukrainian women are also baking and feeding soldiers, and some, like the author of this text, are painting in America and creating fundraisers to help.
Efforts are being made to help those on the front lines in Ukraine. Direct donations of both money and supplies are being sent to organizations and groups in Ukraine that have volunteers. Nataliya Ilkiv, a volunteer, has flown directly to Poland in 2022 to help aid refugees and send supplies to soldiers in Ukraine. Nataliya can confirm that everything is accounted for through communication, with confirmation of supplies and money received by organizations they directly correspond with. Through direct efforts, help is being given swiftly and properly. Donors are thanked with pictures sent from organizations in Ukraine. It is a collaborative effort, bringing together people from all over the world to help in any way they can.
Here are some of the organizations we are in direct contact with, helping supply Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines as well as women and kid refugees.
UNITERS FOUNDATION - POLAND
КРП- РІВНОСТІ І ПРАВДИ - UKRAINE
FaceBook Groups To Help / See the Organization Leaders and Information :
Mamchak Yulya KRP Organization
Віка Ліка - Vika Lika (works with volunteers linked to Uniters Foundation and helps supply soldiers on the front lines)
Make a donation.
Consider donating directly below to help Ukraine fight this battle for freedom. All donations will be directly transferred to the organizations we work with in Ukraine and Poland.
