On the eve of Christmas, a charitable initiative in New York brought Ukrainians abroad together to support children in Ukraine. A Christmas secret gift raffle raised more than UAH 100,000 to help children with special educational needs.
This was reported to Vilni Media by the organizers of the event.
Sixty people took part in the raffle. The format was simple: each donation provided a chance to participate, and one winner received all 14 gifts – both physical items and gift certificates. Until the results were announced, the full list of gifts remained a secret. The organizer gradually revealed only a few of them on social media, building engagement and interest within the community. From the very beginning, the initiative was not intended as a competition. Its core value was mutual support and a sense of togetherness.
A symbolic final moment of the fundraiser was the largest single donation of $500. According to the initiative’s terms, this contribution offered the opportunity to become a guest on the Two Dots podcast.
Зібрані кошти спрямують на покращення умов навчання дітей з особливими потребами в Центрі розвитку дитини №17 у місті Коростень Житомирської області – рідному місті ініціаторки проєкту.
“All of my previous fundraisers were focused on supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as my father and brothers are serving in the military. But this time, on the eve of Christmas, I wanted to give something to children who are learning in the midst of war — a gift that would stay with them for a long time.
Водночас ця ініціатива стала способом об’єднати українців у Нью-Йорку, адже коли ми підтримуємо одне одного, у нас з’являється сила робити великі речі й постійно тримати Україну в полі уваги іноземців», – зазначає організаторка розіграшу та авторка подкасту «Дві крапки» Ганна Ломакіна.
The Two Dots podcast focuses on stories of Ukrainian emigration and on people who are building their lives abroad while remaining deeply connected to events in Ukraine.
Representatives of New York’s Ukrainian creative and entrepreneurial community joined the initiative. The raffle was held with the support of Brighter Ukraine Foundation, which assisted with organizing the fundraiser and ensured transparency throughout the process.
Різдвяний розіграш став прикладом того, як медійний проєкт може перерости у реальну благодійну дію, а українська спільнота за кордоном – у джерело підтримки, довіри та взаємної сили.
Фото: Ганни Ломакіної
Спілкувалася: Зоряна Романчук