That is super amazing. I've done the Air B&B trick to get a little over there, but I'm concerned that it's only going to people who actually know about it and can have a space set up to pretend to do it.Since someone asked:
I've sort of started a charity by accident. Here's the most recent update from Wednesday I sent out to supporters.
Who you've been helping in Ukraine
Good morning to all our recent contributors,
We've had a busy few days locating and finding new families that urgently need relief, and I wanted to write and update you on what we've been doing this week.
Since our last update on Sunday evening we've sent out a little more than $6,000 directly to families and local community leaders. This brings our total over the last 72 hours to more than $11,000 in direct distributions. We're working hard to consistently turn your donations into food, housing, medical supplies for Ukrainians within 24-48 hours.
The hardest hit city on the ground in recent days has been Mariupol. The city has been encircled by invading forces, and citizens have been unable to consistently leave the city as humanitarian corridors have come under attack. One of the more tragic consequences of this situation is that communication into the city is painfully difficult. Even Ukrainians with family members in Mariupol have reported periods of no contact that can last days. For that reason getting aid to families inside Mariupol, or recently escaped from Mariupol, has been our highest priority.
Just yesterday we started having success in this area: making contact and giving direct aid to four families - including a single mother with four children and a father who was able to leave the city with his elderly mother and his daughter.
We've also continued supporting the construction of field hospitals near Kyiv, distribution of medicines in war zones, the orphanage system near Odessa, and business owners who are using their facilities to provide food and shelter to citizens that recently lost their homes.
We've attached photos of some of the families you've helped, and the food and medicine you've purchased to this email so that you can get a sense of how much this means. None of these people chose this war. It happened to them. And you're helping extend a lifeline when they need it.
I've also attached a sample of the kinds of conversations I have every day, after we've been able to find families and get them money they need to keep a roof over their head and feed and their children. Irina, whose father and husband are currently fighting the war, and who needed support while she and her mom have closed their florist shop due to shelling, was astonished that we were able to get money directly into her bank account in under an hour. Her response: "God bless you!!! We are grateful to you without limits ... To tears..."
This is just one example, but it's an extremely common response. Many people we've spoken to have asked how they can pay these funds back or asked if they can host their American donors for an evening in their homes after the war is over. These families don't take it for granted. Many view your support as answer to their prayers.
All of this happens because of people like you. So from us to you, thank you for your continued generosity.
One measure of our success: when we started this project we were spending a lot of time scouring the country looking for people we could help. Now, a few weeks in, families in Ukraine are starting to find us. Word is spreading among families from Odessa, Izmail, and Kharkiv that this kind of direct aid exists; and I'm starting to get messages asking how people can "apply to our organization" for assistance. They are surprised to find out the "organization" is two guys with laptops and social media accounts. This is the kind of personal human help they need, but haven't been able to access locally.
The need for more aid is huge. And we're relying on support from you and your connections to keep it going. Please consider continuing your support and telling your friends and family about this project. As always, we accept donations through Venmo @Adam-Romney-2 and through PayPal at adam.romney@gmail.com. And I'm willing to talk to anyone about this project at any time. My personal cell phone is (602) 481-0571. I'm available day and night.
Thank you. Truly, from the bottom of my heart. You all are helping make one of the worst human tragedies in recent memory at least a little more bearable for the people it hurts the most. Ukraine is a wonderful place, and it will be again soon.
-Adam Romney
Jazzfanz will only let me attach 10 files, but you get the gist.
If anyone is looking for how to get aid to individuals on the ground, I'm in the process of setting up a California non-profit, but I'm still pushing money out through wire transfers as fast as I can find people. I'd love to have you on board.
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