John,
I'm Inna, a member of the Client and Community Outreach team for the IRC, and a recently resettled Ukrainian refugee.
When I left Ukraine nine months ago I only brought two weeks of clothes with me. I am so thankful to be living in London now, but my heart is still with my hometown of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, especially now that the holidays are here.
Christmas is very important in Ukraine. It's one of those holidays where families will get together. We have a tradition of cooking 12 meals for the table — it can be small or big dishes — and then everyone will gather around. We look at the whole year that has passed and talk about hopes for the next one, and then we make wishes. It's a really special tradition.
This year, most Ukrainian families, like mine, won't be together for Christmas. And those who are gathered in their homes or temporary shelters might not have access to heat or electricity, much less all our traditional holiday trimmings.
In this season of giving, I hope you'll remember families like mine in Ukraine and around the world and give a gift of hope and comfort. If you make a gift using this link, it will be 2X matched: https://help.rescue.org/donate/2X-EOY-2023
During this critical time my colleagues are hoping to reach as many people as possible — we're distributing warm blankets, hats, and mittens. We're also distributing heaters as blackouts and damaged neighborhoods make it difficult to keep homes warm. And we're providing spaces where children can continue to learn and celebrate the holidays despite these challenging circumstances.
And I can assure you the impact is tremendous. My own mother has electricity for just 2 hours in a 24 hour period. In these 2 hours, she has to somehow cook herself food, heat up her home by whatever means, and then somehow survive the next 22 hours.
That's how I know that having a blanket like the kind you can help provide is so valuable.
Please, I hope you will make a gift to fund life-changing programs like these this holiday season. If you make a gift today, it will be 2X-matched: https://help.rescue.org/donate/2X-EOY-2023
As a Ukrainian, it means the world to me that supporters like you are doing what you can to help. Because at such a moment, it actually feels like we're not alone. In the whole tragedy, in this whole horrible war, knowing people around the world are caring and giving shows me what strong support we have.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you, and happy holidays.
— Inna
Inna Gordiienko
Client and Community Outreach Officer
International Rescue Committee
My husband William and our dog, Cooper, in Kaniv, Central Ukraine last year. Thank you so much for listening to my story and for your generous support this holiday season.
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