We are excited to share with you our series Razom Says Dyakuyu. Dyakuyu means “thank you” in Ukrainian. Our work supporting Ukraine and getting humanitarian aid on the ground where it is needed most, would not be possible without generous donors. With this series we are highlighting some of the amazing donors and fundraisers that have supported Razom.
Walking into elementary school P.S. 340 in Manhattan, our Razom representatives knew exactly where to go for their meeting with third graders who had raised funds for our Emergency Response project. The bulletin board next to one classroom displayed pictures of blue and yellow squares with Razom’s logo along with peace signs, Ukrainian flags, and multi-color hand drawn calls to action, “Help Save Ukraine,” “Peace to Ukraine,” and “Support Razom Together.”
Invited by the school’s principal, Razom volunteers came to visit the young students and accept a check for $2,103. The students wanted to hand their donation to us directly and learn about the ways the funds they collected would help Ukraine.
When the kremlin began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, families across the United States sat down with their children and discussed what individuals could do to help Ukraine. There is always something people in a position of safety can do to help those in imminent danger. Ellie, one of the students, and her family started having conversations on how they could help. They came up with the idea of collecting money that could be donated to help people in Ukraine. Within a few days, Ellie proposed an event and planned it in collaboration with her class.
“The whole school made bracelets and had a fundraiser sale in front of the school,” said a parent of one of the students who participated in the charity sale. Bracelets full of blue and yellow beads were arranged with white beads spelling out the words “peace,” “love,” and “Ukraine.” The bracelets didn’t have a set price. They were offered up for sale to the school community at whatever rates people wished to donate. Parents, teachers, and a wider community participated in the sale. Several hours later, the students counted over $2,000 contributed from the compassionate crowd.
“Everyone was very supportive. Some people gave us all the cash they had with them at the moment,” said one of the students when called on by a teacher to share their impressions with Razom volunteers.Gathered in a semi-circle in front of us, the students one after another posed questions and expressed their thoughts.
Razom and all the people who we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to P.S. 340 for their support!
