I recently lived in Kyiv. A chapter of my life was written there. Those bomb shelters were my metro stations. I drove the streets now covered with bodies. The people fleeing their homes are my friends.

As the war in Ukraine becomes more brutal, more inhumane and heartbreaking, my emotions and mind swing back and forth between grief, guilt and anger, ultimately helplessness. Maybe you feel this helplessness, too.

But we do have power. When we come together to aid people suffering a world away, we can channel our emotions for good.

That is what inspired this fundraiser and all the supporting events, and that's what is so great about Traverse City: our community has a heart for people and are driven to action.

My friends in Ukraine are seeing this. They feel the love and support. There are people all over the world helping, and there's this tiny community in Northern Michigan doing what it can, too.

Ukrainians are brave, proud, and resilient people. They didn't need a war to prove that, but they are showing the world now.

слава Україні!

Donate

Donating online and in person is easy.

• Shop our art and maker collection at My Secret Stash

• Venmo: @martatessy include a note about Ukraine

• Traverse City Community Fundraiser - Now Closed

• View all proof of donations here.

Artists and Makers

Shop My Secret Stash in downtown Traverse City to purchase art prints from Kyiv-based Artists, handmade gifts from Michigan Makers and Ukrainian swag.

• Alyona Zhuk - Illustrator and Tattoo Artist

• Nadiia Onyshchenko and Pavlo Nikolaychuk - Linoleum Printmakers

• Nina Dzyvulska - Graphic Artist

• Laurie Mackowiak

• Nikki Wald

• Eve Schuyler

• Maria Tucker