Our 30th Newsletter in 8 Months!

Published: October 28, 2022

Dear Razom Community,

Thanks to you and the friends and family you shared our fundraiser with, we’ve raised over $130,000 towards the Power Up Ukraine initiative (on facebook or on Evergreen) as part of our Emergency Response Project in just two weeks. Of course there’s also our general fund here that you can contribute to, where we continue to prioritize our Emergency Response Project that includes delivering life-saving aid and advocating for Ukraine. But as the days get colder, electricity and water more intermittent, air raid sirens and missiles strikes far from the frontlines become common, and warcrimes accumulate, it’s never been more important for you to continue to maintain your support and share how others can help. The more we all do this, the faster Ukraine will win and this war will end.

There are so many of you who rally around targeted fundraisers you start yourselves (a new installment of Razom Says Dyakuyu (thank you) blog posts below!) that together our reach can become exponential. We hope that you can forward these newsletters on so that your community can grasp the impact a simple action of theirs can have.

This week’s updates start with our work on aid focused on winter preparedness:

We have distributed 24 generators in 2 weeks to Ukrainian defenders and first responders, with many still making their way to Ukraine.
Thanks to the Toronto Police Service and Allied Universal Canada, our Canada-based procurement team was able to ship 1,500 three-season jackets to Ukraine.
So many of you contributed towards buying urgent supplies off of our Amazon Wishlist that we were able to ship 3 pallets worth of thermal underwear and socks, waterproof winter gloves, sleeping bags, power banks and more, in less than three weeks! Keep up the good work and remember, when you go to check out, just click “Razom’s Gift Registry Address” underneath the “Other Addresses” section when choosing shipping.

Razom’s in-kind donations team continues to work with individual medical professionals in the U.S. and major global health and disaster relief organizations to secure, ship, and distribute (with the help of our Ukraine-based partners Zdorovi and Patients of Ukraine) the most in-need hospital supplies and medicines across Ukraine:

In partnership with MedShare (a continued and trusted partner since the start of the full-scale invasion) and a generous donor, three OR surgical tables were delivered to Irpin, Kharkiv and Dnipro. These OR tables will enable specialized surgeries for Ukrainians in need.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Afya Foundation, Razom was able to ship durable medical equipment (DME) and medical supplies to our partner Rescue Now that further distributed the wheelchairs, crutches, canes, and walkers to the elderly and Ukrainians with disabilities in the Kharkiv region. These donations enabled those in need to regain their mobility and dignity.
Razom and Zdorovi were able to deliver another 14 iQ+ devices to Ukraine last week. These portable ultrasounds are vital in providing diagnostic evaluation during emergency situations, because they can be used for numerous POCUS (Point of Care UltraSound) procedures.
DUKAL, with special support from the company’s President, Gerry LoDuca, donated 24 pallets worth of medical gauze for hospitals in Ukraine. Thanks to a partnership with Airlink the shipping was subsidized. More of these fundamental supplies are en route to Ukraine now!

From September 16-22, the first mission of plastic and reconstructive surgeons “Face to Face — Ukrainian Medical Mission” took place. This project was created in cooperation with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), Razom for Ukraine and the medical platform INgenius. The mission completed 34 consultations and 31 operative interventions at the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital. This video shares the incredible work of those who doctors and nurses who volunteered for the mission, and the stories of the people’s lives that were forever changed.

Given our intense focus on aid, advocacy, and fundraising since February 24th, you might not know a lot about Razom’s other projects before the full-scale invasion. We’re happy to be able to put a spotlight on one of them now – Veteranius. This project was started three years ago with the mission of helping Ukrainian veterans break into technology with their first IT job. Project Veteranius runs training programs that combine the development of technical skills with practical projects, mentorship opportunities, and emotional and psychological support.

The number of Ukrainian veterans increases on a daily basis, so Razom is especially proud to announce a partnership with the Linux Foundation and Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) to expand access to technology education for Ukrainian veterans, their families, and Ukrainians in need. You can read the official press release here. The partnership will focus on adding three new classes to Project Veteranius – Intro to Linux, Git for Distributed Software Development, and Intro to Kubernetes.

If you are interested in getting involved, there are many ways you can help!

Donate monetarily here
Donate hardware and/or software for students to use during classes
Donate your time and skills

Reach out to veteranius@razomforukraine.org for more information about involvement.

Donate to Veteranius

Join us this Saturday, October 29th, 3:00 PM, Times Square (Father Duffy Square, near the steps) as Iranian and Ukrainian communities come together to for a joint protest against tyranny and autocracy.
Stand together with the brave people of Iran in their fight for liberty and justice. Support them in their fight for the brighter and free future of their country. Ukrainians and Iranians have common enemies – two dictators that threaten liberty and global security!
We will keep our fight until victory.
Together with Burmese community and free people of Tigray!
Co organisers: @nicolenajafi @womanlifefreedomnyc
Poster by: @parisa.dale

If you can’t stand side by side with us at our weekly Saturday protests in NYC, then we hope you can join us at some of these events across the country! Put these on your calendar:

In New York:

On Friday, October 28 @ 5PM in Manhattan, Razom is hosting a fireside chat with Ihor Dvoretskiy of Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), a leading IT leader in Ukraine and a big advocate of open source technology, who is currently serving in the Ukrainian military. Moderated by Dmytro Kavun, Razom Board Member and one of the leaders of Razom’s Veteranius project, they’ll be discussing Ihor’s story of transitioning from IT into the military and answering questions. Together they delivered a keynote address at KubeCon this week. More info about the get together here.
On Saturday, October 29 @ 6:20PM at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden come support Ukraine at Vasyl Lomachenko boxing match. We’re making it a special one with a surprise flashmob to support Ukraine. Get your tickets here.
On Thursday, November 3 @ 7-9PM in Hoboken, NJ the Hoboken-based music and poetry collective “West of Willow” is hosting a special event to raise funds for Razom. This event includes Hoboken poet laureate Danny Shot, musicians Rest Ashore and Karyn Kuhl, and author Jack Silbert. Make your donations to participate in the event here.
On Sunday, November 6 @ 5PM at the SohoPlayhouse come catch a performance of Psalm/Salmo, a synthesis of poetry, music, theater, and cinema created from the verses of Vasyl Makhno about the Russia-Ukraine war. All proceeds will be donated to humanitarian causes in Ukraine. Get your ticket here.
On Saturday, November 12 @ 7PM the Coney Island Comedy Festival is proud to present The Funnies NYCUkrainian Fundraiser Stand Up Comedy Show at The Red Doorsbar and grill, located Brooklyn, NY. Tickets are $15, with all sales donated to Razom for Ukraine. The Funnies NYC is a Stand Up Comedy Show showcasing comedians from around the world. The 11/12 show will Headline: Gregory Korostishevsky (The BlackList, Orange Is A New Black, Billions, White Collar), with Features from: Mike Hernendez (New York Silly), Meka Mo (2022 Best of BWICLaffFest), Upa InSpace (CICF), Mick Diflo, and Coney Island’s own Cherryann Trinidad. Purchase tickets here.
On Thursday, November 17 @ 7-11PM the Dungeons & Dragons Club in NYC is hosting a game night with all ticket sale proceeds going to Razom. The evening will include free drinks and appetizers and feature a DJ and interactive art gallery. New D&D players are welcome and highly encouraged! Get your tickets here!
On Sunday, November 19 @ 7-11PM the Lisovi Chorty Plast Fraternity is celebrating their centenary by hosting a formal costume ball, or Kostyumivka, at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City. The elegant affair will be a fundraiser to support humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine. Secure your tickets here.
On Sunday, December 4 @ 2PM Notes From Ukraine, a concertdedicated to 100 years of “Shchedryk” and highlighting Ukrainian music and the connections between Ukrainian and American cultures, will take the stage at Carnegie Hall. Secure your tickets here!

In Washinton, D.C.:

On Friday, October 28 @ 4-5:30PM in Washington D.C. the US Ukraine Foundation and the Jamestown Foundation invite you to an Interview & Book Signing with Stanislav Aseyev, a Ukrainian novelist and journalist born in Donetsk. His book In Isolation: Dispatches from Occupied Donbas details infamous Donetsk prison IZOLYATSIA, where he was subjected to mistreatment and intermittent torture for over two and a half years. Register for the event here.
On November 15-17, the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) “Ukrainian Days” advocacy event will be held after the midterm elections. Register here.
On Wednesday, November 30 @ 5:30-8:30PM, the U.S. – Ukraine Foundation will host the D.C. premier of Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom, an incredible documentary film by Evgeny Afinevsky is a sequel to his 2015 documentary Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom. Info on how to secure tickets to come!

In Texas:

On Saturday, October 29 @ 8:30AM – 12PM in Woodlands, TX, the College Park High School Students Association is hosting a relay at the school’s track field to fundraise for Razom. You can sign up here to join!

In Massachusetts:

The Oxbow Gallery in Easthampton, MA will be showing a series of new oil paintings by Joanne Holtje, “Lamentations,” from October 27-November 27, 2022. Begun in early 2022, this series served as a way for her to bear witness to the horror of the invasion of Ukraine. The proceeds of sales from the show, plus an additional 20% match from an anonymous donor will be donated to Razom.

In Illinois:

On Saturday, November 12 @ 6PM the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago is hosting its annual fundraising gala “Ukraine My Love”. It will feature Ukrainian-American artist Ola Rondiak as the keynote speaker and Serhiy FOMA Fomenko, a Ukrainian fusion folk singer from Mandy. Buy your tickets here.

In Florida:

Introducing to the world: KOLO, an unparalleled immersive visual experience and theatrical dance show celebrating the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Ukraine! The first of its kind, KOLO is the brainchild of award-winning, Ukrainian-bred competitive ballroom dancers and partners, Iaroslav and Liliia Bieliei, both natives of Kyiv who now call Los Angeles home. The show is launching its North American tour in Florida:
- December 26 @ 3PM and 7PM at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, FL
- December 29 @ 8PM at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, FL

U.S. Tour:

KAZKA is back in the US for its “I’m Ukraine” tour that will kick off with a charity concert at New York’s Melrose Ballroom on November 4 @ 9:00PM. You can also catch them in Miami, Chicago, Seattle, and San Francisco. Get your tickets here!
Volodymy Rafayenko is on Book Tour in the US brought to you by Razom Translates, a project of Razom which fundraised for a translation of Volodymyr Rafeyenko’s book Mondegreen: Songs about Death and Love in 2021. Here is a list of the upcoming events with him (we will be adding on to this list). Please also follow our facebook page for events information:
- Atlanta: Saturday, October 29 @ 3PM. More info here.
- Hunter College in NY: Tuesday, November 1 @ 6PM. More info here.
- George Washington University in D.C.: Thursday, November 3.
- Ukraine House in D.C.: Monday, November 7.
- Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland, OH: Tuesday, November 8 @ 6-8PM. More info here.
- UCSD in San Diego, CA: Monday, November 14 @ 5-6PM. More info here.
- Columbia University in NYC: Wednesday, November 16 @ 5-6:30PM. More info here.

Continuing our Razom Says Dyakuyu (thank you) series , we want to spotlight some amazing stories of generosity, support, and simple organizing to fundraise for Razom’s work in helping Ukraine. We’ve collected a lot of these stories over the past 8 months, and they continue to sustain and inspire us. Below are the most recent spotlights (click on the photos to link to the stories!).

RAZOM SAYS DYAKUYU – THANK YOU – TO THE ORGANIZERS AND PARTICIPANTS OF THE BENEFIT CONCERT FOR UKRAINE AT THE UCCS

Pass on this message, this newsletter, to your friends and family, your workplace, and your local community to raise awareness about how others can support Ukraine and help save lives in the process. We are immensely grateful.

Stay razom.

How Can I Help

Newsletter #29: Urgent Call To Action

Published: October 11, 2022

Yesterday, another morning waking up to horrific news of deadly russian attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and today, another opportunity to help Ukraine win. Make no mistake, this unprecedented attack wasn’t about revenge for the bridge connecting russia to occupied Crimea. Monday’s 84+ missiles were designed to keep Ukrainians cold for the winter ahead. Razom has been delivering aid for winter preparedness over the past couple of weeks already, but we need your help now to scale that work. Below, several ways you can help Ukraine today.

Dear Razom Community,

Although by no means are any of Monday’s events new to Ukrainians, the scale of the attack, across every major corner of Ukraine, was unprecedented since the invasion on February 24th. Air raid sirens in every region of Ukraine lasted for more than five hours. Every day, russian terrorism gets more and more aggressive, more and more inhuman. After yesterday, over 100 civilians have died, more have been injured, and major cities across Ukraine have lost water and electricity.

But Ukrainians are not afraid. They, we, have been preparing for this and fighting this for a long time. Razom continues to work to deliver aid, advocate for Ukraine, and engage people around the world to donate money and time. You can help us in this, and every time you do, Ukraine and everything that it stands for, gets closer to victory.

Here’s what you can do:

DONATE – Help power-up Ukraine by donating to Razom’s fundraiser (on facebook or on Evergreen) to deliver generators and power banks to Ukrainian first responders and defenders so that they can carry out rescue operations and save lives. In the last few weeks, we’ve focused our efforts on winter preparedness, delivering generators and even Ukraine-made wood burning stoves (over 30 of them have already made it into the hands of the end users!). But now what they need most are supplies that will keep the lights on after yesterday’s attacks. The goal of this campaign is to raise $100,000 to purchase portable heat and power sources and deliver them to places where Ukrainians need them most. Since February 24th, Razom has made over 2,000 deliveries of critical aid to end users on the front lines of saving lives in Ukraine. Your donations will help us to continue to scale the massive work we have at hand.
ADVOCATE – Write and call to your elected officials to declare Russia a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Here’s a link to how to do that for your US Senators and Members of Congress.
SHARE – Pass on this message, this newsletter, to your friends and family, your workplace, and your local community to raise awareness about how others can support Ukraine and help save lives in the process.

How Can I Help?

Razom has been working on Aid, Advocacy, and Fundraising for Ukraine since day one, and we will continue to do all of those things. Your support is vital to our meeting the needs of Ukrainians on the ground. Below are two recent stories of initiatives that would not have been made possible without your donations.

During September 16-24th, Razom, in partnership with INgenius (a platform for developing medicine and science in Ukraine), facilitated a medical mission for a group of 11 experienced plastic surgeons and nurses from the US and the AAFPRS (American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) to deliver 40 advanced reconstructive surgeries and corrective plastic procedures to 31 patients who suffered as a result of russia’s war on Ukraine – completely free of charge. The group brought $325,000 in medical supplies (including custom designed implants) and donated around $300,000 in value of surgeries. Some procedures lasted as long as 10 hours. We were touched, shaken, and horrified by the patients’ stories. They came from places like Bucha, Izyum, Kherson, Chernihiv, Sumy, places with documented atrocities and war crimes, and with wounds and burns from shelling, mine explosions, direct gunshots, and artillery fire. For many of these patients, fixing the scars on their faces may be the last step in their arduous medical journeys, something that brings closure, helps heal and return to society. Psychological rehabilitation is an important factor in recovery and reintegration, so we brought therapists from our Razom z Toboyu program in Ivano-Frankivsk for onsite support.

In the spirit of collaboration and learning, American and Ukrainian colleagues worked side by side at the medical facility of Ivano Frankivsk Oblast Hospital. This special Ukrainian medical mission was called “Face to Face” and is undoubtedly only the beginning of a fruitful and life-saving cooperation between Ukrainian and American doctors and surgeons. Over 130 Ukrainian medical professionals watched the masterful work of their American colleagues and Ivano-Frankivsk doctors in-person and online (in real-time) to learn the procedures. Currently most plastic and reconstructive procedures are not available in public hospitals, and patients have to turn to either high cost private clinics or, for the military, wait for their turn in military hospitals which are overwhelmed with wound and trauma patients. Our solution is to work with Ukrainian doctors and policy makers on education and popularization of plastic and reconstructive procedures and advocating for free plastic and reconstructive surgery for the victims of war.

The American doctors were impressed by the courage and patience of the Ukrainians they operated on. In six months, they plan to return to continue the work of the medical mission and help more people.

In light of yesterday’s events, we also want to spotlight the work of one of our grantees from the Razom Grants project, the Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital (PFVMH), a Ukrainian NGO of civilian healthcare professionals saving lives by treating and evacuating injured Ukrainian people on the frontline of the war in Ukraine. In September alone, PFVMH medical professionals treated almost 1,200 people. Over 800 patients had severe war injuries, and 6 of them didn’t make it.

Vsevolod Stebliuk, PFVMH Medical Director, says there are no “easy cases.” Every day, there are wounded people that PFVMH angels bring back from the dead. Even when their hearts stop, the doctors fight for their lives, often resuscitating patients 3-4 times. A 99.5% success rate during wartime… truly is a miracle. That’s why they were nicknamed “Angels in Scrubs” by the Ukrainian public.

The level of professionalism among the volunteer doctors is unprecedented. That’s why the importance of top-grade medical equipment and continuous aid cannot be overvalued. High-quality tactical medicine kits, surgical instruments, external fixation devices, anesthesia breathing systems, and even fuel for evacuations and transportation are all key elements that give Ukrainian people a chance to survive. Razom has an ongoing fundraiser to aid the current needs of Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital. To support and help them save even more lives, join our Facebook Fundraiser or visit RAZOM x PFVMH – the donation buttons are at the bottom of the page. You can also visit their official website.

DONATE to Razom

Thank you so much for reading this newsletter, sharing it, generously donating to many of our important projects, and for showing your support of Ukraine. We are immensely grateful.

Stay razom.

Donate via our Amazon Wishlist

Razom Says Dyakuyu – Thank You – to Fox Rock Foundation

Published: October 10, 2022

We are excited to share with you our series Razom Says Dyakuyu. “Dyakuyu” means “thank you” in Ukrainian. Our work supporting Ukraine would not be possible without the generous donations made by donors. This series highlights some of the amazing philanthropists and unique fundraisers that have supported Razom.

Razom is delighted to announce that we received a $1,000,000 donation from Karen and Rob Hale through their family foundation, Fox Rock Foundation.

“We are pleased to support Razom in their emergency response in Ukraine, which will enable them to continue to scale their emergency response to the unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We are impressed by the impact of their dedicated work to deliver life-saving medical supplies to people who need them most and inspired by their work to support internally displaced people by providing food, water, and shelter through a vast network of nonprofit partners on the ground in Ukraine,” said Karen Hale.

Fox Rock Foundation is a private family foundation established by Karen and Rob Hale and their adult children, Trevor, Thomas, and Brett, to inspire health in our communities and our environment, with more opportunity for all.

The foundation’s current focus is a series of grant partnerships with small and midsized nonprofits making a difference on a variety of causes in New England and beyond. Fox Rock Foundation builds on the philanthropy of Hales’ other charitable funds, like Granite Gives Back and FoxRock Cares. Through numerous giving channels, the Hale family has pledged or donated more than $300 million to a broad range of worthy causes. Razom is honored to be among this year’s beneficiaries. Forbes featured their remarkable philanthropy in a recent story: www.forbes.com.

The Hale family’s generous contribution is a sizable part of the $64M raised by Razom since February 24, 2022. All funds are directed to the immediate emergency response in Ukraine and have helped Razom to ship over 400 tons of medical equipment:

16 3136 tourniquets;
90 000 first aid kits;
over 1,303 tactical medical backpacks;
100,000+ chest wound seals;
over 300 wound vac machines. (The Razom Impact Report, July 2022)

Additionally, Razom has provided grants to over 100 volunteer organizations in Ukraine that work tirelessly to deliver food, water, and shelter to people in hot zones, including recently liberated regions. Delivering help to Ukrainians, Razom drivers have driven farther than circling the globe seven times!

The Fox Rock Foundation donation started with a voicemail left at the Razom office in May. Razom volunteer, Yulia O’Connell, returned a call to the foundation and was asked to tell them about Razom. Yulia shared from the heart and told the Fox Rock Foundation leader why she has volunteered with Razom from the moment she moved to NYC. (Yulia is from Donetsk and spent several years living in Moscow.)

Since its establishment in 2014, Razom has created an inspiring community-building spirit and developed incredible patronage programs. For example, Veteranius is a project that supports Ukrainian veterans in embarking upon a career in IT. Building Ukraine Together (BUR) is a Ukraine-based NGO reminiscent of Habitat for Humanity that rebuilds schools, community centers, and housing for internally displaced Ukrainians.

Yulia also described how Razom volunteers in the US and Ukraine jumped into action in February to galvanize a robust first aid response, bringing much-needed medical aid to the front lines and Ukrainian hospitals. A few days later, Yulia received another call from the foundation and was thrilled to learn that Razom would receive a $1M donation from Fox Rock Foundation. The foundation representative explained that they wanted to support Razom because it was an established organization with a long track record supporting Ukrainian causes. It had the infrastructure to process the donation efficiently and get help to Ukraine quickly.

Razom extends a heartfelt dyakuyu – thank you – to Fox Rock Foundation for their confidence and trust in Razom’s mission.

Razom Says Dyakuyu – Thank You – To Freedom Run London: A Charity Race to Support Freedom in Ukraine

Published: October 8, 2022

This post is part of 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 the generous donors. With this series, we are highlighting some of the amazing donors and unique fundraisers that have supported Razom.

As Ukraine continues its fight, people from around the world are running to aid Razom’s humanitarian efforts. Sometimes they are even running the distance of a half-marathon – 13.1 miles, or 21 kilometers.

Razom wants to express deep appreciation to a group of volunteers that gathered in London to organize one such charity race in support of Ukraine and Razom’s work towards bringing victory closer. The “Freedom Run Homepage” race took place on July 31 in central London’s Hyde Park.

“Feeling as if you are not doing enough is now the new norm after a full-scale invasion,” said Freedom Run organizers Mykola and Oleksandra Kuzmenko. “Once the first wave of press coverage passes, and the media is no longer so eager to cover the ‘everyday’ of the war, it becomes clear that the threat of gradual oblivion creates additional dangers for the fight of the Ukrainian people.”

The London race was scheduled to take place at the five-month mark of russia’s continued invasion of an independent, sovereign Ukraine. As the organizers emphasized: “There is no denying that 24 February 2022 is a dark day in the history of the world. Ukraine is suffering from a full-scale unprovoked russian invasion, atrocities like that of Mariupol, Bucha and Irpin are still happening in peaceful Ukrainian cities”.

With the goal of keeping Ukraine in people’s hearts and minds, Mykola and Oleksandra proposed several different charitable organizations to which the donors and participants could contribute. Razom was selected as a humanitarian aid option and other potential beneficiaries were UACC (military), EMpower (youth support), and UNITED24 (an initiative launched by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy).

Oleksandra and Mykola’s meticulous planning resulted in great success.

There were “440 registered runners, of which about half were local — each with their own story, but one goal on that day,” the organizers said. Of $84,712 raised, $67,385 was directed to Razom’s Emergency Response project, which provides humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people. See Freedom Run allocation report for a more detailed funds distribution on the Freedom Run webpage.

Razom and all the people who we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to the organizers and participants of Freedom Run London.

Razom Says Dyakuyu – Thank You – to NYC Moms for a Cause

Published: September 26, 2022

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 the generous donations made by donors. With this series, we are highlighting some of the amazing donors and unique fundraisers that have supported Razom.

Since February 24, 2022, many groups have reached out to Razom with initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine. One of the first was NYC Moms, a group that formed during COVID-19 to navigate parenting during the pandemic. It is these incredible Moms that Razom wants to thank wholeheartedly for having turned to us in solidarity and organized an event that helps us carry out a humanitarian aid project in Ukraine. Faced with the reality of russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the New York City mothers decided to act to support Ukrainian people by forming NYC Moms for a Cause.

The Moms put together an Evening for Ukraine: A Cocktail Reception to Benefit Ukrainian Families. The event and auction were held on the evening of April 12. It was one of the first events in New York City uniting people in solidarity with Ukraine and collecting funds for Razom’s Emergency Response Project. The gala gathered guests in the French gothic style mansion of the Ukrainian Institute of America on the Upper East Side and showcased various elements of Ukrainian culture.

“The moms recognized the critical need to help families in crisis,” the group said when announcing the event. “Additionally, several group members have personal ties to Ukraine through family, colleagues, and nonprofit work in the region.”

Along with words of solidarity and support for Ukraine, the event immersed the audience in all-things-Ukrainian including a demonstration of how to decorate Ukrainian pysanky (Ukraine’s traditional decorated Easter eggs), an exhibit of art, performances of Ukrainian music and dance, and the sale of blue and yellow angel ornaments made by children. All of this was accompanied by drinks and treats including traditional Ukrainian cuisine.

The pinnacle of the evening was the silent auction which collected funds for Razom’s humanitarian relief work in Ukraine. Together with the sale of the lots, individual contributions in the form of crypto currency donations checks, the event yielded over $100,000. Hundred percent of it was entrusted to Razom to convert into aid for vulnerable civilians in Ukraine. As NYC Moms for a Cause envisioned, this sum entered Razom’s pool of funds that our teams strategically allocate toward providing aid for displaced families, the delivery of medical supplies, and other critical relief.

Razom and all the people whom we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to Moms for a Cause for their solidarity with Ukraine and support for Razom’s humanitarian efforts.

Notes From Ukraine concert celebrates centennial of Ukrainian “Carol of the Bells” at Carnegie Hall

Published: September 20, 2022

The Ukrainian Institute (Kyiv, Ukraine), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), Razom for Ukraine (New York, United States), and the Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival (New York, United States) co-present Notes from Ukraine: A 100-Year Celebration of Carol of the Bells at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

The concert showcases world-famous choral artists from Ukraine and North America, including Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York (as featured on SNL), Kyiv-based, Ukrainian Children’s Choir Shchedryk, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, along with special guests, soprano Janai Brugger and Toronto-based Ukrainian folk singer Marichka Marczyk.

More Information at www.CarolOfTheBells100.org

The program features a world premiere by composer Trevor Weston, setting the words of Ukrainian Nobel Prize-nominated poet, Serhiy Zhadan, as well as American choral works with Ukrainian connections by composers Eric Whitacre, Leonard Bernstein, Valentyn Sylvestrov, George Gershwin, and others.

The choral celebration will bring continued awareness to the current war in Ukraine and part of the funds raised through ticket sales will be directed to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Initiative: United24 Rebuild Ukraine campaign.

“This year, 2022, marks the centennial of the famous U.S. tour by the Ukrainian People’s Republic’s Koshyts Capella where they first performed the all-time-favorite ‘Carol of the Bells’, or ‘Shchedryk’ as we call it in Ukraine. Judging by the popularity of the song one century later, the tour was a great success of Ukrainian cultural diplomacy. We take this year’s celebration as a great opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian centuries-old culture and statehood in the times when Russia tries to destroy them. I am sure the event will give the audience a sense of what we are defending and why Ukraine will win,” Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated.

Celebrating 100 Years of Carol of the Bells

The year 2022 marks one hundred years since the North American premiere of Mykola Leontovych’s “Shchedryk” (known today as “Carol of the Bells”) at New York’s Carnegie Hall. This Christmas classic has captured the American imagination through film, television and commercials — from Home Alone to Coca-Cola to the Muppets — and through performances by groups as diverse as the NBA, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and many others.

“Shchedryk” (“Carol of the Bells”) premiered in the United States at Carnegie Hall on October 5, 1922 on a concert which was part of the first Ukrainian cultural diplomacy project, a world tour by the Ukrainian Republic Capella choir conducted by renowned musician Oleksandr Koshyts. The Capella was established on the initiative of the government of Ukraine and sent abroad to promote awareness of Ukrainian independence in Europe and the Americas and to counter Russian propaganda. The tour was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Arts and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Ukrainian National Republic (UNR), and they performed more than 200 concerts in North America alone, at major halls and universities.

Carnegie Hall Renovation 2014, Location: New York City, Architect: Iu + Bibliowicz | photo credit: Jeff Goldberg / ESTO

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Tickets for “Notes from Ukraine: 100 Years of Carol of the Bells” range from $50 to $105 and are on sale now through the Carnegie Hall Box Office, by calling Carnegie Charge at 212-247-7800, or by visiting carnegiehall.org.

For more information on the event, please visit www.carolofthebells100.org.

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Press Contact
Dr. Leah Batstone | (614) 795-8577
leah@razomforukraine.org

Jacob Slattery
jacob@orpheusbureau.com

Media Kit
Click here for media kit

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About Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyiv
The mission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is to represent and protect the interests of Ukraine in the international arena and to facilitate a favorable international environment for the development and realization of the potential of Ukraine, its society and citizens.

About Ukrainian Institute, Kyiv
The Ukrainian Institute Kyiv is a state institution acting in the field of cultural diplomacy. The institution’s activities are aimed at improving the understanding and perception of Ukraine in the world and the development of its cultural ties with other countries. Established by the Government of Ukraine, the Institute operates under the administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

About United24, Kyiv
UNITED24 was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs.

About Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival, New York
The Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival is an annual three-day concert series showcasing Ukraine’s unique and exciting contributions to the field of contemporary music. Based in New York City, the festival engages audiences at the intersection of new music, contemporary events, and the culture of Ukraine.

Razom for Ukraine, New York
Razom is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2014 during the Revolution of Dignity. Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, believes deeply in the enormous potential of dedicated volunteers and donors from around the world united by a single goal: building and maintaining a democratic and prosperous Ukraine. Razom works towards that mission by creating spaces where people meet, partner, and do.

“War cannot eliminate our ability to speak. We retain the right to sing, the right to articulate and to debate our experiences. Ukraine is speaking and today it is impossible not to hear her.”

~ Serhiy Zhadan

Razom Says Dyakuyu – Thank You – to the organizers and participants of the Benefit Concert for Ukraine at the UCCS

Published: August 28, 2022

Razom expresses deep gratitude to the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) for the Benefit Concert for Ukraine its faculty members organized on April 30, 2022. The event paid tribute to Ukrainian music and culture. Razom was chosen as one of the beneficiaries and received around $7,000 raised from ticket sales. The donation was put towards Razom’s Emergency Response Project.

“The idea behind the concert was to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees, while celebrating Ukrainian culture and music,” said lead organizer Haleh Abghari, a UCCS music instructor. “Aside from killing innocent Ukrainians and displacing them, the war is also an attack on their culture and identity. Putin’s war is a brutal attempt to erase that culture. That’s why we felt it was important to highlight and celebrate it.”

Abghari co-organized the event along with Eugenia Olesnicky and Dmytro Bozhko, who both have Ukrainian roots.

Internationally renowned performers were on stage that Saturday evening at the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS. “This event is more than just a fundraiser,” Eugenia Olesnicky said. “It is an opportunity to honor and experience Ukrainian culture.”

Pianists, cellists, violinists, flutists, and even a bandurist came together along with dancers, singers, choreographers, and artistic directors to put on an incredible program showcasing the beauty of Ukrainian culture. All of the artists donated their talent in solidarity with and support of Ukraine through these difficult times of violence and invasion.

Abghari, who was born in Iran and raised during the Iran-Iraq War, said: “My family left Iran during the war and moved to the US as the situation became more dangerous. I didn’t experience any of the horrors millions of Ukrainians are experiencing now, and I was well protected. Yet, I have vivid memories of air attacks and I witnessed what it does to a population, especially children, and I’m fully against such acts of violence.”

From Ukrainian folk song “During Dark Night” to “Lullaby for Ukraine” by composers Myroslav Skoryk and Olexandr Vratariov to Taras Petrinenko’s “Ukraine,” the audience was treated to some of the treasures Ukrainian culture has to offer.

For those in attendance, some of the music was likely new to them while some was rediscovered — such as Mykola Leontovych’s “Shchedryk,” which many in the West know as “Carol of the Bells.” Introducing Leontovych’s composition, Deborah Teske, conductor of the Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble, spoke to the non-Christmas origins of “Shchedryk,” pointing out “many of you will probably recognize [it] as ‘Carol of the Bells,’ a Christmas song. But in its original Ukrainian, it’s not a Christmas song; it is a song about new year and refreshment and renewal.”

Razom greatly appreciates the hard work and solidarity that went into creating this two and a half hour program during which people came together to support and learn more about Ukraine. We also know that this solidarity extends well into the overall life of the community at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. “Here at UCCS, we work at all levels to provide help to displaced scholars and students. I am very proud of everyone who joins these efforts,” Bozhko said.

Razom and all the people who we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to the concert organizers and participants at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

You can watch and enjoy the full concert here.

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Conference And Charity Dinner in NYC

Published: August 25, 2022

We invite you to a conference and a charity dinner that will take place at the Harvard Club in New York City on September 17, 2022.

The event aims to bring the greatest minds and key political figures together to discuss the implications of the war in Ukraine for global security, economy, energy security, and food security. At the charity dinner, we will celebrate the resilience and the spirit of the Ukrainian people, and raise funds for the reconstruction of medical facilities in Ukraine that have been destroyed by the russian army.

Some of the confirmed speakers at the event are Dr. Paul Krugman (Nobel Prize Winner in Economics ’08), and Dr. Roger Myerson (Nobel Prize Winner in Economics’ 07), Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, John Herbst, Serhii Plokhii, Yuriy Gorodnichenko, Tymofii Brik, Tymofiy Mylovanov. Several top Ukrainian officials including Andriy Yermak, the Chief of Zelensky’s administration, Yulia Svyrydenko, the First Vice Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and several other ministers will participate as well (some of them might be online due to the situation in Ukraine).

The conference and charity dinner are co-organized by the Kyiv School of Economics (the top Ukrainian university, economic think tank, and educational charity) and United24 (the fundraising platform initiated by the President of Ukraine). Razom is honored to serve as an information partner for the event.

The Ukrainian Independence War and the Future of the World
September 17, 2022
Harvard Club (35 West 44th Street, Manhattan, New York, New York, 10036)
Organizers: KSE Foundation, United24, Razom
3pm – 5:30pm. Conference “The Independence War in Ukraine: Global Implications”
6:30pm – 11pm. The charity dinner “The Independence War in Ukraine: the Present and Future of the Country”

The conference will have four panels: global security, economy, energy security, and food security. You can find the detailed program below. Research reports by the KSE Institute on the four areas will be made available to the participants. The capacity of the rooms for each panel is limited to 30 people. A limited number of tickets for the conference are available for purchase together with the tickets for the charity dinner.

The charity dinner will feature Ukrainians who will share their stories of overcoming the challenges of the war, resisting the russian invasion, and maintaining and developing a democracy during a war. All raised funds will go towards medical and educational humanitarian projects in Ukraine. Our objective is to raise funds to rebuild a medical clinic in Makariv, the area close to Bucha in the Kyiv region that was occupied and devastated by the russian troops.

Register For Event

Please indicate that you learnt about the event from Razom by using Promo Code “RazomForUkraine”. You will also get a 10% discount at the checkout. No worries – you can donate more at the event, if you choose to.

If you have any questions or need more details, please contact Svitlana Denysenko at sdenysenko@kse.org.ua.

KSE Charitable Foundation is de jure two foundations, one registered in the U.S., 501.c.3, and another in Ukraine. The U.S. foundation has more than 20 years of experience and a track record of humanitarian relief efforts in the 1990s, 2004, 2013-2016, and 2022. Its campaign and programming are endorsed by the Ukrainian government, the Ministry of Health, and the Territorial Defense. In peacetime, before the war, KSE Foundation served to raise funding for KSE University. KSE University has also expanded its activities during the war by supporting an initiative Ukraine Global University that provides Ukrainians with educational opportunities around the globe. It has also starred in a number of public lecture series on the issues related to the future of the world and has been honored to host lectures and discussions by opinion leaders such as Paul Krugman, Nicolas Cristakis, and Michael A. McFaul. KSE Foundation and KSE University have been supported by large Ukrainian and international companies and charities, including Ripple, Everstake, Naftogaz, Jefferies, etc. KSE Foundation is ranked the third most effective fundraising organization in Ukraine according to Forbes Ukraine.

Razom Says Dyakuyu – Thank You – to Chicago Children United for Ukraine

Published: August 20, 2022

Solidarity with Ukraine and support for Razom’s humanitarian work on the ground comes in various shapes — even a ginormous Ukrainian flag measuring 34 by 86 feet composed of 4,932 blue Rice Krispies and yellow Corn Pops cereal boxes. The blue and yellow flag was laid out at the Wintrust Grand Banking Hall by several dozen Chicago-area teenagers over the course of three days from August 11-13.

Friends Michael Kotcher, 15, and Ryder Shiffman, 16, co-created the project as a way to raise awareness about russia’s war in Ukraine — for the simple reason of our shared humanity. “I don’t know anyone personally from Ukraine, but it doesn’t matter. I feel that after seeing everything on the news, it was just really saddening,” Kotcher told CBS Chicago.

Fundraising for Ukraine was a major component of the cereal mosaic project. Kotcher and Shiffman discussed the idea of the cereal box flag mosaic with their mothers and then organized themselves into the group Chicago Children United for Ukraine. They secured donations of cereal boxes from Kellogg’s and then began searching for a charity to partner with.

“We did some research on different groups in Ukraine and we felt [Razom] were the most reliable,” Shiffman said.

With Razom as the beneficiary, a GoFundMe campaign was created. While the fundraiser is still ongoing (and can be found here), as of today nearly $27,000 has been raised through this platform which will go directly to Razom.

“Razom continues to do incredibly important work in Ukraine providing humanitarian relief to those in need,” Lara Shiffman, Ryder’s mother and one of the coordinators of the event, told Razom. “We are thrilled to be doing our part in Chicago to help Razom in their efforts.”

Contributions to Razom’s Emergency Response project weren’t the only remarkable outcome of this project. After the mosaic’s completion, Chicago Children United for Ukraine donated the cereal boxes to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

With the mosaic, the Chicago Children United for Ukraine are also attempting to set a new Guinness World record for the largest cereal box mosaic. While this was “a secondary goal,” for the group, Razom wishes them the best of luck.

Razom and all the people whom we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to Chicago Children United for Ukraine.

Photos by Lara Shiffman

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Razom Says Dyakuyu – Thank You – to Cactus and Tryzub

Published: August 12, 2022

Razom says a heartfelt thank you to members of Cactus and Tryzub, who along with the Asian Community of Arizona united for the We Are Praying For Ukraine fundraiser, that took place at St. Paul’s Auditorium in Phoenix, AZ. Over $12,000 was collected and donated to Razom’s Emergency Response project that is focused on providing tactical medical aid to Ukraine.

An Arizona-based Ukrainian-American initiative, Cactus and Tryzub, was founded earlier this year by a group of volunteers who organized in response to russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

“At Cactus and Tryzub we do political activism,” said fundraiser co-organizer Oli Stokolosa. “We organize rallies, events, and fundraisers to keep awareness about our beloved country Ukraine and deliver a message that the war is not over yet.”

On the evening of the event, representatives of more than nine Asian nations came together at St. Paul’s Auditorium to express their support for Ukraine while sharing their culture and traditions through visual and performing art. The highlights of the event were a beautiful Vyshyvanka Fashion Show by gorgeous Ukrainian and Asian models and the Moment of Dignity performance.

The hosts of the event, Oli Stokolosa and Ty Ng, introduced Ukraine and Ukrainian traditions to the guests and educated attendees about the #DontFundTheWar campaign that raises awareness of American brands that are still operating in russia and funding the war.

“Our generation came to this country to escape either poverty, persecution, or war,” said Ty Ng, who is a film director and human rights advocate. “And because it’s no longer happening to us does not mean it is not happening to someone else somewhere else. So, I feel it is our moral obligation to protect each other.”

Razom representative Yulia O’Connell flew from New York City to take part in the special evening and speak with attendees about how Razom converts our donors’ contributions into aid for the people of Ukraine.

Razom and all the people who we’ve been able to support on the ground in Ukraine during the war say “dyakuyu” to Cactus and Tryzub members and Asian Community of Arizona for their support in the Southwest!