Dobryi Den’ (Good Day in Ukrainian)!

This August 2025, I’m headed back to Ukraine for my sixth volunteer trip, feeling an even stronger connection to the incredible people and the vital work happening there. I’m grateful to be expanding my efforts into Odesa and Kharkiv this time with two new local Ukrainian humanitarian groups. I’ll also continue my work in Lviv and Kyiv with the organizations run by my Ukrainian friends I’ve partnered with over the years.

These local groups are just incredible, providing essential support to so many Ukrainians facing immense difficulties. It’s always a privilege to contribute alongside their dedicated teams, generous donors, and fellow volunteers.

Every trip shows me more of the war’s devastation, but what truly sticks with me is the amazing spirit of the Ukrainian people. Their rich culture, incredible strength, and captivating beauty are so inspiring. Their resilience through everything is truly powerful to witness.

My hope is that my efforts, however small, help alleviate suffering and convey a message of hope and solidarity to the people of Ukraine.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey.

My Journey: You can directly support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine by donating to the following organizations. Click on the organization’s name to contribute:

  • Lviv Volunteer Kitchen – founded by Oksana & Lyuda in 2014. It is an organization specialized in the preparation of dehydrated ready meals for soldiers on the front line.
  • Cats On Mars: I’ll also be visiting Cats On Mars, a Kyiv-based organization dedicated to rescuing cats from war-torn areas. Their mission is to build a much-needed shelter, a haven where these animals can receive care and rehabilitation.
  • Kitty Pechersk: I’ll also have the opportunity to volunteer with Kitty Pechersk, a local community in Kyiv’s Pechersk district. They provide vital humanitarian, security, and psychological support to residents, including distributing groceries and delivering lunches to elderly neighbors. Additionally, volunteers help prepare materials for camouflage netting, used to conceal military personnel and equipment.
  • Ants Kitchen Hub: A volunteer kitchen hub based in Kyiv that produces nutritious dry meals for the frontline heroes. Learn more about Ants Kitchen Hub
  • The Chervona Kalyna Kharkiv Charitable Foundation, established in February 2022, is dedicated to providing comprehensive humanitarian, psychological, and material aid to individuals and families severely impacted by the war in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Their crucial work includes delivering hot meals to hospitals, offering extensive support and play therapy for families with children, and distributing targeted humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons and low-income individuals.
  • Coast of Life is a volunteer team based in Odesa, Ukraine, focused on supporting the heroes on the frontline. Their mission involves providing essential, morale-boosting supplies such as trench candles, repellent candles, and warming balms.
  • Kherson: For this trip, I will not be volunteering in Kherson, southeastern Ukraine, due to the increased threats of drone attacks on civilians. In 2023 and 2024 I had the privilege of volunteering with my friends at Spravzhni Ukraine. This incredible group of volunteers survived the occupation and continues to tirelessly assist the population of Kherson and the surrounding region. I will return to help rebuild.

The Importance of Volunteering:

  • Humanitarian organizations like Lviv Volunteer Kitchen, Spravzhni Ukraine, Cats On Mars, Kitty Pechersk, Coast of Life in Odesa, Chervona-Kalyna in Kharkiv and countless others are the lifeline for countless Ukrainians.
  • Their work is critical, and they rely on partners, donors, and volunteers to make a difference.

My Goals:

  • Alleviate Suffering: My aim is to contribute to alleviating the suffering caused by war and help the Ukrainian people rebuild their lives.
  • Raise Awareness: Through daily social media updates and a video diary on my YouTube channel, I want to raise public awareness about the continuing devastation in Ukraine and the vital work of humanitarian organizations.

Most importantly, I hope my volunteering efforts bring a message of hope and solidarity to the people of Ukraine.

Together, we can make a difference!

Stay tuned:  I’ll be sharing my experiences throughout the trip via social media and YouTube.

Dyakuyu (Thank you in Ukrainian)!

P.S.  Curious about my previous trips to Ukraine?  Click here to learn more!