Help Local, Hardworking Ukrainian Fam Send Emergency Help Where It’s Most Needed
The TL;DR version: If you’re sitting in the relative comfort of your home, with your kids safely tucked into bed (as we are), and yet — still wondering about our brethren in Ukraine and what you can do to help (also as we are), here’s your opportunity. Please share widely (you can send this to 10 people right now!) and give what you can. Most importantly, please keep the Ukrainian people in your hearts and minds, and send all the good vibes you can. Below is more info for those interested.
**We just tried to create this fundraiser on GoFundMe, and the platform says that since they have been swamped with people creating fundraisers, they are taking up to 2 days to review each. We don’t believe we can wait that long for those that need help. Please donate directly to our Venmos, and we will send to Dima for him to direct to areas of greatest need.**
Angie Plitch’s Venmo handle: @theangielee (last 4 digits are 0313)
Sarah Reed’s Venmo handle: @Sarah-Reed-26 (last 4 digits are 9005)
Please drop a “❤” into the notes, so we both know to direct it to Ukraine. We will post updates of how much is collected for Dima to send.
From Angie:
A year ago, we invited the most earnest, hardworking, honest and talented man into our home. His name is Dima. He brought his brother, who was similarly skilled, kind and deferential.
I’ve often wondered how I got so lucky to have such a great human being help me with plenty around the house right at the moment when we most needed it. He installed wood floors and quarter-inch rounds in my upstairs level (helping remove long-overdue carpet), painted rooms, corridors, bannisters, and installed 2 chandeliers and 2 light fixtures.
I always always always thank @SarahReed for bringing someone as gentle and sincere as Dima into our lives. And I have wondered from that moment onwards, what higher level purpose the introduction served.
When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, my mind went immediately to Dima. When he worked on our home, I had asked him about his ethnic background and he had shared with me that he was Ukrainian. I reached out to Dima on March 2, to see how his extended family was faring, and if we could drop off food to his home. At that time, he turned down my offers to help, and I did the best I could (rented out Airbnbs of anonymous-to-me Ukrainians in besieged Ukrainian cities so we could get our financial resources into the country). Tonight I heard from Sarah and Dima, and the situation is quite dire.
He and his friends have collectively raised $40k to direct aid in the right places. At the moment, the lines to get out of the country are 40 miles long. The Polish, to Ukraine’s northwestern border are helping Ukrainians out of the country. Can you imagine a line 40 miles long to flee a war happening in your own country? What would your needs be along the way? Dima has shared with us that the funds raised so far have been sent to his wife’s cousin, who has been transporting food from Poland to Kyiv. The resources have also been sent to Poland, where there is a steady supply of essentials like diapers and food. The resources are not being sent to Ukraine, as Dima has shared with us that the stores in Ukraine are empty and it’s now costing $250 USD to fill up a tank of gas in Ukraine. As you can imagine, delivering food around the country is exceptionally expensive. Photos have been requested and will be sent and posted tomorrow.
Speciba!!! (‘Thank You’ in Ukrainian) Thank you for your consideration of this important cause, amongst what is clearly a number of significant causes you surely contribute to already.
From Sarah:
I met Dima six years ago. As a designer, home stager, and renovator, I’m always on the lookout for outstanding partners to help make my clients’ dreams come true. Dima stood out for his wonderful painting abilities. He painted the first house I flipped and we have worked together ever since. As he’s grown his business, I’ve been impressed and inspired by his authenticity and beautiful work ethic. He exudes kindness and teamwork is at the center of everything he does, and how he operates. He always shows up as a kind human being, and I loved learning about his kids and his growing family (so cute!). His kindness is matched by his hardworking nature. Never one to pass up a job, he has even come to paint with his father.
Dima shares that as soon as the war calms down a bit, he will also be flying overseas to help. Three of his friends flew to the Romanian border on Monday to help with processing refugees.
Please consider helping Ukraine. We trust Dima to get the resources to the people who most need help. We’re sharing a few photos Dima sent us tonight, and will post more tomorrow as we get them. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
