As with many of you reading this, the people of Ukraine have been on our hearts and minds daily. It is hard to fight the feelings of helplessness when observing a horrific situation so much bigger than yourself unfold before you.
After our last European tour, we decided we wanted to do more than just dedicate a resistance song to the Ukrainian people every performance.
It can be hard to decide which of the many amazing non-profits to donate to in order to make the most effective impact with your donation – especially when recalling stories of gross mismanagement and squandering hundreds of millions of dollars by massive organizations like the Red Cross that we once held in such high regard.
After a little research and reaching out to Ukrainian volunteers and organizations on the ground, we’ve decided to start a GoFundMe for 4 organizations who are clearly making an impact. You can follow their stories to see first-hand where your donation is going and stay more informed.
We’d like to shoot high and see if together we can raise $10,000. Maybe we can hit $20k!
Other Lives will start off the first $500 donation.
Here are the 4 ground-roots individuals and organizations we’ve chosen in Ukraine.
No administrative fees, just straight to the people, feeding people and aiding soldiers.
We encourage all of you to follow them to get a first-hand look at how they’re helping.
@dariamitiuk
Daria is a Ukranian volunteer and organizer who is feeding those in need, and helping to aid soldiers any way she can. She is relentless, seemingly never taking a break.
‘I am a Ukrainian volunteer. I was volunteering in the kitchen. Now I am concentrating on raising money for volunteers as we have 10 times less donations than at the beginning of the war. I am mostly looking for money for food, but as I have a family member on the front line, I am also trying to collect money for the needs of his bataillon (for right now, they need at least 1 drone and some new clothes and boots). I also help refugees to find accommodation. I help with all I can.’
@vegankitchenua
Margo is a fierce Ukrainian activist and artist we’d been following even before the invasion. Now all her efforts are focussed on her vegan kitchen that feeds Ukranians in need.
@gozigir
We’ve just started following this organization, which was recommended to us by a Ukrainian volunteer. Volunteers of this organization provide Ukrainian army soldiers with free uniforms, backpacks, clothes, medicines, medical equipment, food and other basic necessities.
@poryad_ukraine
This organization was also recommended by a Ukrainian volunteer. Volunteers of Poryad help residents of towns and small villages where there is no electricity, gas or water following the Russian aggression. They also provide humanitarian aid such as food, clothes, medicine and hygiene products to both resistance fighters and civilians.
We've asked our friend who has devoted her life to non-profits to be the administrator of this campaign for consulting and extra transparency:
Wanessa Rudmer
-Initiative Earth
-Program Manager
