How to help Ukrainians Come Back Alive
We (that’s you and me) have donated a total of $2,315 to aid in Ukraine through Planted proceeds.
I’ve donated $775 to Lifeline Ukraine, $770 to Cobblestone Freeway Foundation, and $770 to Ukrainian Patriot, all thanks to your support.
There are countless organizations doing important work for Ukraine and Ukrainians, and I’d be proud to support any and all of them. Until I raise enough money to be able to do that, I’m narrowing down which organizations I donate to by choosing ones I have some sort of connection to.
The next place I’m donating Planted proceeds to is Come Back Alive, a foundation providing assistance to Ukraine’s military to save the lives of soldiers defending the country. The foundation does this by providing equipment and training related to defence strategies.
My connection to Come Back Alive
For the past few years, I’ve been a volunteer proofreader for Ukraïner, a website that shares stories from across Ukraine. People on the Ukraïner team are from all over Ukraine and from all over the world. Through long-form articles and videos (available in a dozen languages), Ukraïner shares stories of both modern-day and historical Ukraine. You can learn about lizhnyky (wool blankets made in the Carpathian Mountains), people who have returned to their homes in the Chornobyl exclusion zone, and the process of making vinyky (wicker brooms), to name a few topics. Writers, videographers, and photographers travel all over Ukraine to capture these stories.
Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces can make requests to Come Back Alive for required equipment, such as binoculars, laptops, generators, first aid kids, and helmets. Image from Come Back Alive’s Facebook page.
Since russia launched the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraïner has shifted its focus to covering the war, including sharing stories of people who have had to leave their homes and giving updates on certain areas, such as the battle for Kherson.
While I haven’t met the Ukraïner team in person, I feel strongly connected to them all, and I consider them my friends. I remember when I first started volunteering, I talked with some of them about my interest in and love for Ukraine. When the pandemic started, they’d check in with me to see what things were like here in Canada.
And since the full-scale invasion began, everyone on the Ukraïner team has remained on my mind, hoping for their safety.
Ukraïner’s commitment to sharing about Ukraine and Ukrainian culture is inspiring, and the team works so hard to get the word out about the country, even now — and especially now — when Ukraine is defending itself in wartime.
I keep in touch with some of the team on social media, and I know so many are involved with volunteer efforts to support Ukrainians, which is in addition to their jobs and caring for themselves and their families.
I was talking to one of my friends from Ukraïner, and she shared with me some of the organizations she strongly supports. The Ukraïner team means a lot to me, and I wanted to support a cause that means a lot to them.
My friend, whose dad is one of the thousands defending Ukraine as part of the military, suggested Come Back Alive, saying she believes it’s one of the most powerful foundations. Ukraïner actually interviewed Taras Chmut, Come Back Alive’s director, and produced a video about the foundation and its work to procure military equipment, help civilians evacuate, and share information about the war.
Today, Friday, September 16, is day 205 of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Horrific crimes are still coming to light, like in Izyum, Kharkiv Oblast. Near the recently liberated city of Izyum, Ukrainian forces found more than 440 graves of people killed during russian occupation, with evidence of torture.
Izyum. Bucha. Mariupol. Irpin. Sadly, reading those names brings to mind atrocities that russians have committed there. I wish it were different, that these places were instead making headlines because of their vibrancy, their culture, their people.
Until we get there, Ukraine and Ukrainians still need our support. And they will need our support even when they win the war.
In addition to raising awareness about the war, signing petitions, and learning more about Ukraine and its culture, making donations can have a major impact to help Ukrainians defend themselves and to rebuild their country. And I’m honoured to have the chance to contribute to Come Back Alive’s work.
About Come Back Alive
Since 2014, when russia invaded Eastern Ukraine, Come Back Alive’s goal has been to “make the Armed Forces more efficient, save the lives of the military, and systematically counter the enemy.” When russia’s full-scale invasion started in February 2022, the foundation increased its military assistance.
By purchasing military equipment, such as gear, vehicles, and intelligence systems, and providing training on drone operation, artillery, and medical aid, the foundation is supporting the defenders of Ukraine. And this leads to countless lives saved, of both those in the military and those the military is protecting — people in Ukraine.
Military units can make requests to Come Back Alive for supplies. Any donations to the foundation are going right to the people who need it, providing them with exactly what they need.
As the foundation’s website mentions, new needs arise every minute. And every dollar contributed can help save lives.
If you’d like to donate directly to Come Back Alive, you can do so at this link.
You can learn more about Come Back Alive and follow along with updates on where money raised is going on its website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Come Back Alive posted about assistance it provided, including food and intelligence tools, to a brigade that was involved in the battle for Kyiv earlier this year and is now in the southeast of Ukraine. Photo from Come Back Alive’s Facebook page.
Where to Purchase Planted
To support Come Back Alive’s work by purchasing Planted, fill out this form.
Once you send me the requested information, I’ll email you the total, and you can send me an e-transfer. If you’re picking up the book, I’ll give you some time options of when to come by.
The book is $25 with free Winnipeg pickup. Shipping to Canada is $4 per book, and shipping to the U.S. is $6 per book (for shipping outside Canada and the U.S., send me an email, and I’ll find out the cost). If you’re outside Canada, you can pay by credit card here.
The ebook will also be available shortly if you prefer that format.
Thank you for your support. Slava Ukraini! Heroyam slava! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!