'One bulletproof vest is one heart that keeps beating'
Where were you when happened?
In a politics class in university, that was one of the discussion questions we had, asking us where we were when we heard about 9/11.
Sadly, since then, and before then, there have been many world-changing events that we’ve marked in our mind’s calendar.
I was in my sister’s basement when russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine. She had me over to celebrate my birthday with my nieces and nephew, and I decided to stay the night. For months, Ukrainians around the world were constantly refreshing their news feeds, not knowing what russia might do and when. As I did my final scroll for the night on February 23, I saw people in Kyiv, who had just woken up to February 24, post about the explosions they heard and saw and felt. It had started.
After managing to pull myself away from my phone, I tried to sleep, which of course didn’t come easy. My mind flashed with all the people I knew in Ukraine — my friends, my family. I went through every city I lived in or visited, calling to mind every person I met while there, from the store clerk in Kyiv who found my lost mitten to my dance partner in Lutsk who helped me fumble through the steps.
I know I’m not alone in struggling with managing feeling heartbroken and hurt and numb and helpless — about Ukraine and about any of the world’s tragedies of today — and not knowing what next step I should take to help the country I love while I live safely in my current country.
Six hundred and four days later, the invasion is ongoing.
And so are the feelings of heartbreak and hurt and hope (always hope).
We will one day celebrate Ukraine’s victory together. Until then, the country still needs our help.
I admire and am grateful to all the organizations providing aid to Ukraine and supporting displaced Canadians around the world.
Yesterday, I donated $860 to the Educational Cultural and Art Center Aelita in Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine. Alexandra Tkachenko from Aelita said this money will go toward fixing the engine in a military vehicle for one of the brigades the centre is helping out.
This brings my donations through Planted up to $4,172. Thank you to everyone who has purchased the book, including many who have given extra money to donate.
The book is available for $25, and $12.50 from each book sold goes toward aid in Ukraine. So far, I’ve donated to Ukrainian Patriot, Cobblestone Freeway Foundation, Lifeline Ukraine, Come Back Alive, and Aelita.
The next place Planted proceeds will go to is the Second Front Ukraine Foundation, an organization based in North York, Ontario, that works with various partners to deliver aid to where it’s needed most in Ukraine. The organization is volunteer-run — every dollar donated to Second Front goes toward aid for Ukraine.
Second Front Ukraine’s Save the Brave project supplies Ukrainian combat medics with high-quality tactical kits. Photo from Second Front Ukraine.
Second Front UA’s Projects
My friend Hannah told me about Second Front Ukraine, and she learned about the organization through Kazka Entertainment and Atlas Entertainment, event companies that promote Ukrainian artists. Proceeds from concerts by these companies go toward Second Front’s efforts.
Some of my favourite Ukrainian artists have raised money for Second Front through concerts, including Eurovision finalists Go-A, PROBASS ∆ HARDI, Balaklava Blues, and Onuka.
I love the work Kazka and Atlas are doing to share Ukrainian music with the world while raising money for the country as it defends itself.
Second Front has raised more than $1 million and has sent more than 1,000 bulletproof vests to Ukraine.
“One bulletproof vest is one heart that keeps beating.”
Through the Save the Brave project, Second Front supplies Ukrainian combat medics with high-quality tactical kits. The kits include tourniquets, nasopharyngeal airway devices, gauze, needle decompression kits, eye shields, trauma shears, and chest seals, among other life-saving essentials.
Second Front’s Iron Birds for Ukraine project is raising money to purchase drones for Ukrainian defenders. Drones can provide real-time information without putting the defenders at risk.
“Each and every one of you can become the eyes and strength of our brave Ukrainians on the frontline and in this fight against the evil.”
Where to Purchase Planted
To support Second Front Ukraine’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.
The book is $25 with free Winnipeg pickup/delivery. 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 — it’s usually around $12 per book). If you’re outside Canada, you can pay by credit card here.
The ebook is also available for your Kobo or Kindle.
Thank you for your support. Slava Ukraini! Heroyam slava! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!