My best guy friends from childhood (one of them named the text thread between us three a few years back, “asshats,” and it stuck as the two of their collective nickname in my mind) sent a text meme yesterday with some blonde mommies brunching, saying how stressed they were about the crisis in the Ukraine. Funny not at all funny, right? The boys are good at that.
I believe we all have goodness and light within us and I have seen, most especially since 9/11, generosity of the human spirit and the power of collective good. It was certainly present before that, but that attack on America, and the city I loved so much, made me a little more aware, I think.
In any event, I have seen some great posts and ideas in the last week about how to help or contribute in a positive way to the citizens of the Ukraine.
Here are a few that I have supported:

1. www.crisisrelief.un.org

   A donation will help the UN and its humanitarian partners operating in Ukraine through the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund - one of the quickest and most effective ways to directly support urgent humanitarian relief on the ground.

2. I saw on CNBC this morning a story about booking local Kyiv residences on Airbnb, not to occupy, but to support local Ukranians by seemingly putting the cash directly into local hands. I love this idea. I went on the site and found an apartment owner that was local and had one property to offer (vs a large property manager, was my thought). There have been calls today for Airbnb to drop its booking fee/margin too; the company set up a site so for the most up-to-date information, please visit this Airbnb philanthropic page.

3. UAnimals is a Ukraine-based animal rights organization is helping rescue animals and provide support to shelters that are running out of food, money, and other resources. The easiest way to process a donation, I found, is via the Facebook link.

4. World Central Kitchen was founded by celebrity chef José Andrés. World Central Kitchen provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. The organization is offering hot meals at border crossings in Poland, as well as in surrounding countries where Ukrainian refugees have fled. The group is also supporting local restaurants in the Ukrainian cities of Odessa and Lviv.

Yesterday the New York Times published a few ways to help also:

1. Direct Relief is one of the world’s largest distributors of medical supplies. The organization is currently working with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health on providing 500 requested emergency medical packs.

2. Mercy Corps is providing humanitarian relief on the ground. Mercy Corps will use donations to support local organizations with cash grants.

3. International Medical Corps has been providing medical services and prescription medication in the Ukraine since 2014. Donations will also support mental health services and access to food and water.

4. Save the Children has also been working in-country since 2014, providing food, water, education, and cash grants to locals.

This BBC article is also great: Ukraine Conflict: How to help yourself, your kids and others