7 Ways Las Vegas Locals are Helping Ukraine

From donations to pro-Ukraine parades, here are ways locals can take action

Russia launched an attack on Ukraine, which has caused 3.27 million Ukrainian refugees to flee their country seeking safety. CNN’s live updates report includes satellite images of Kyiv (the capital of Ukraine) with tanks on fire, demolished apartment buildings and significant damages to their country. Standing with Ukraine, Las Vegas locals have found ways to support the refugees amid the crisis.

For locals wanting to help Ukrainians, here are some ways you can contribute to humanitarian aid for refugees in Eastern Europe.

KYIV, UKRAINE – Feb. 25, 2022: War of Russia against Ukraine. A residential building damaged by an enemy aircraft in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv / Shutterstock

1. Baby’s Bounty Is Gathering Supplies and Donations to Help Ukraine

Southern Nevada’s non-profit organization, Baby’s Bounty, teams up with Senator Jacky Rosen’s office and non-profit Project Marilyn to send resources to Ukrainian refugees in Poland. They will utilize cargo planes to deliver pallets of diapers and supplies to aid families that fled Ukraine.

Baby’s Bounty set a goal to raise $100k in donations to directly provide Ukrainians with aid that will go towards helping families in need overseas. They are also accepting baby blanket donations for refugees. In two weeks, they will send the first shipment of supplies. 

Donations can be made on their website or at their office located at 3400 W Desert Inn Rd #24, Las Vegas, NV 89102.

2. Abundance International Helps Orphans in Ukraine

Mark Davis, a Las Vegas man protecting orphans in Ukraine, runs the non-profit Abundance International, a philanthropic organization supporting orphans and special needs children. To care for these children, they are accepting donations that will go towards supplies such as food, medicine, physical therapy equipment and other necessities. Abundance has set up a Go Fund Me “Helping Orphans in Times of Civil Unrest” to keep up with the skyrocketing costs. 

Locals can help by making donations on their website and spreading the word.

3. Russian Food Truck Kolobok Raises Money to Feed Ukraine Refugees

Ellen Doren, and her husband, Bulat Nasybulin, owners of the Russian food truck, Kolobok, are raising money for the non-profit, World Central Kitchen (WCK). Founded by Las Vegas Chef Jose Andres, World Central Kitchen is working to feed healthy, hot meals to Ukrainian refugees on the border of Poland and Hungary. The food truck is donating 10 percent of all sales to WCK. The couple aims to show support for their friends and family in Ukraine through their mobile restaurant business. They will be helping support the cause for as long Ukraine needs help.

Visit their website to learn where their truck will stop next.

4. Donate Directly to World Central Kitchen

If locals can’t make a trip to the food truck, they can always donate directly to World Central Kitchen. The non-profit organization is feeding Ukrainian refugees and their families as well as refugees that fled to bordering countries Moldova, Poland and Romania. Their team is working 24/7 to provide food for people seeking safe areas. Food serving stations have been set up in Ukraine and entry points from Ukraine. According to their website, they have served up to 60 million meals thus far.

To help them continue preparing meals for refugees, locals may support the cause by donating through their website.

5. Book Airbnbs in Ukraine

During this humanitarian crisis, Airbnb is helping up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine find  lodging. They are supporting the cause by accepting donations to connect people with short-term housing (100 percent of the proceeds go towards housing refugees), offering temporary free stays as a host to refugees and Ukraine supporters are booking stays for refugees. Another way to help is by purchasing Airbnbs from Ukrainian hosts so they can make up for lost income. The company’s CEO, Brian Chesky, also announced via Twitter that they have suspended their operations in Russia and Belarus.

To learn more about how to help through Airbnb, visit their website.

6. Stay Informed About the Conflict

Before sharing information about the crisis, make sure that it is from a reputable source. Spreading disinformation only creates more issues. Support The Kyiv Independent, Ukraine’s English-language media outlet. The Kyiv Independent reports the news in three languages: Ukrainian, English and Russian. To stay up to date on what is happening, keep an eye on their newsfeed and follow their official social media channels.

 7. Take Action by Joining Peace Protests and Rallies

Around the world, people are taking action by demonstrating pro-Ukraine rallies and leading peace protests. Members of Southern Nevada’s Ukrainians in Las Vegas community organized a “Rally For Peace in Ukraine” event that took place on Saturday, March 5 at Las Vegas City Hall.

According to their Facebook page, their next event will be on Saturday, March 12 at 3 p.m. They will be meeting in front of the Guitar Center in Town Square. The community will be showing support through a parade of Ukrainian flags and symbols. The parade will begin at The Strat and end at South Point. Their post asks that people arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.

For more information about how local Ukrainians are gathering to show support, join their public Facebook Group, Ukrainians in Las Vegas.


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