Newsletter #11: Latest Updates from Razom and a To-Do List for this Weekend

Published: April 15, 2022   

An update on the scale of Razom’s impact thanks to your donations and support, and a few key ways for you to do at least one thing for Ukraine today (including participating in a social media advocacy campaign).

Dear Razom community,

Thanks to your generosity and our unstoppable team of volunteers, Razom has been able to invest $14.4M into its Emergency Response efforts since day 1 of this war.  Here’s how it breaks down: 

  • $7.5M went towards procuring the most requested live-saving tactical medicine, medical supplies, and hospital needs delivered to territorial defense units and hospitals across regions in Ukraine that are actively fighting off their occupiers. 
  • $4.5M went towards procuring non-medical humanitarian aid in the form of communications devices to ensure safe and effective delivery of aid.
  • $1.2M went towards grants issued by Razom to organizations and initiatives that help civilians in hotspots and/or internally displaced persons in Ukraine.
  • $548k went towards carrying out our logistics chain 
  • $458k went towards procuring vehicles whether in the form of minibuses to help evacuate displaced children and families or in the form of 23 pick up trucks to help evacuate the wounded in active war zones.
  • $32k went towards Razom’s advocacy work

Meanwhile Razom’s Hospitals Team has built relationships with large nonprofit organizations and agencies that aggregate hospital supplies, global health and major disaster relief organizations, and several hospitals, to collect in-kind donations.  To date, those in-kind donations have an estimated value of $1.2M.  Check out our latest update on the Razom Blog to learn more about this incredible team and the organizations we’ve partnered up with.   The first of many medical missions was successfully carried out this week in partnership with MedGlobal resulting in 40 hours of trainings for an estimated total of 350 Ukrainian physicians in Lviv on poly trauma surgical procedures/ diagnostics/ surgeries, on operating portable butterfly ultrasounds (donated by MedGlobal), and educating doctors on how to prepare and act in case of chemical warfare.  These volunteering doctors were coming from Newark, NJ, Chicago, IL, Nashville, TN, and two from Paris, France. The mission brought with them 37 suitcases of medical supplies and 14 portable butterfly ultrasounds, estimating $700,000 in value. 

On our Blog you’ll also find the latest updates on how our long-time partners at “Building Ukraine Together” (БУР/BUR) have spent a $350k Razom grant supporting internally displaced people in Ukraine.  With those funds they were able to accomplish some of the following:

  • Provide temporary shelter and homes for over 20,000 in western Ukraine. 
  • Begin rebuilding destroyed family buildings in Kharkiv.
  • Organize the evacuation of over 1,300 people from Mariupol.
  • Deliver 75 fridges for blood preservation to 50 hospitals around Ukraine.

Starting today, Razom, along with several other Ukrainian organizations, calls upon its community and allies to join a global social media campaign “Arm Ukraine Now.”  Anyone who supports Ukraine for its unity and independence, and supports providing heavy weapons to Ukraine to end russia’s military aggression can participate.  It will run from today until April 30, 2022. 

Here’s how to join:

Take a photo of a piece of paper, on your phone, tablet, with the slogan #ArmUkraineNow (or yourself holding the photo).

Post to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, with a short appeal to the leadership of your state, or to the international community at large with the request to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons to counter russia’s aggression and to save civilian lives.  A photo should also be posted in the official group of the campaign so that others can see it by using the hashtag.

Tag three friends to do the same. 

Here’s your regular roundup of events to consider supporting that are fundraising for a good cause (like Razom’s Emergency Response project!):   

  • Right now, the Underdonk Gallery in Brookly, NY is running a benefit auction of New York artists’ works to benefit Ukraine, with all the proceeds going to Razom.  You can find more info, including a list of works here. 
  • This Saturday, April 16, 1-4pm EDT the China Town – Little Italy Historic District Improvement Association in NYC is hosting a concert and food fair to fundraise for Ukraine. 
  • On Wednesday, April 20, 12:30-2:00pm EDT the Westchester Biotech Project will host a webinar on The Global Impact of War in Ukraine on Clinical Research. 
  • On Friday, April 22 at 10pm EDT the DJ collective Foreign Posse is hosting a Stand With Ukraine party at Karvouna Mezze on Manhattan. 
  • Chicago Artists for Ukraine have organized a fundraising art sale and exhibit on Saturday, April 23 from 4-11pm CDT and Sunday, April 24 from 12-3pm CDT with all proceeds from ticket and art sales going to Razom. 
  • On Saturday, April 23 urbanStages is hosting a Music Marathon For Ukraine at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm with all proceeds going to Razom’s Emergency Response. 
  • On Saturday, April 23 Arjana and Ivan, an acoustic duo based in NYC known for their unique takes and creative arrangements of tunes new and old, will be performing a benefit concert for Ukraine at the Nite Spot Night series at the MAC.  More info here.  
  • On Saturday, April 30 from 2pm – 9:15pm EDT The Otto’s Benefit for Ukraine at Otto’s Shrunken Head in NYC will have a lineup of singer songwriters and bands with all proceeds from the concert going to Razom. 
  • On Saturday, April 30 from 3:30-7:30pm the Hudson Valley Relief Benefit will feature guest speakers, music, food, and a silent auction.  Get you tickets and join Novellas Restaurant in New Paltz, NY to support Razom’s Emergency Response project!
  • On Sunday, May 1, 7-9pm EDT the Arts Center of Carrboro, NC will host an Evening of Bold Stories to support Ukrainian refugees.  
  • On Tuesday, May 3 at 7pm the Church Street School for Music and Art in NYC will host a Concert For Ukraine featuring violinist Nadia Khodakovska and members of CSSMA faculty.  All proceeds will go to Razom.  To reserve tickets email tobywine@churchstreetschool.org. 
  • On Friday, May 6 from 7-10pm the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, MI will be hosting a concert to benefit relief efforts through Razom.  More info here. 
  • On Saturday, May 7 Gold’s Gym in Poughkeepsie, NY is hosting the 8th Annual Peace and Harmony Invitational with all proceeds benefiting Ukraine. 

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and continue to #StandWithUkraine.

Stay Razom.

Newsletter #10: No time to rest, updates on Razom Emergency Response

Published: April 9, 2022   

In this latest newsletter update, you’ll find that Razom finds no time to rest.  We have updates on how your continuous donations make a difference for Ukraine and more ways to get involved.

As the war continues, so does the physical and emotional toll it takes on Ukrainians near and far.  However, the support pouring in from so many pockets of the world, and the strength and resilience of the people of Ukraine, volunteers, organizations on the ground, help us to be relentless in our mission to build a more prosperous Ukraine.  The time to act – donate, rally, protest, call and write to your representatives, organize, and volunteer – has never been more important.  As long as the russian invasion continues, the need to help Ukraine does as well.  So we humbly call on your incredible generosity again to help Razom continue to maintain and scale our humanitarian relief efforts.  Here’s a list of some of the work we’ve been able to accomplish:

  • At the same time that a russian missile hit Kramatorsk train station killing over 50 people, Razom and “Dity my vstyhnemo” teams safely evacuated 115 people from Bakhmut, 50 kilometers away from the train station. In the last few days, we evacuated over 150 people from the Donetsk oblast – Bakhmut, Soledar and Chasiv Yar.
  • We worked with Spirit of America to equip our volunteer driver teams in Ukraine with their own helmets, body armor, and IFAKs. They risk their lives daily to deliver aid and carry out evacuations from the most dangerous, war-torn cities of Ukraine, and we are endlessly grateful for their effectiveness and bravery.   
  • Thanks to an IT system that a small group of volunteers built from scratch to track our warehouse inventory in Ukraine and match it to needs in battle-torn regions in Ukraine, our driver team has distributed over 117 orders of tactical medicine, hospital medicine, civilian drones for safe medical delivery, walkie-talkies, and satellite phones to territorial defense units and hospitals across Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Vinnytsia regions.
  • We have procured and shipped over 115,248 tourniquets alone! 
  • Razom and Ukrainian Jersey City are partnering to assist displaced Ukrainians with shelter, healthcare services, and education in the New York and New Jersey area.  If you can help a Displaced Ukrainian in a meaningful way, please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/976Bk6VpwnuNkbG86

Meanwhile Razom’s Advocacy Team is doing another round of meetings on the Hill next week.  Ukraine is holding the frontline for democracy for people all over the world right now, it’s important that everyone be engaged in the effort.  

Since late February, you have come together to host over 200 events that fundraise toward Razom’s work in Ukraine.  Each one of us can do 1 thing to help Ukraine whether that’s in our homes, communities, or workplaces.  We are so grateful for the communities that have been brought together all over the country.  Below is a snapshot of some of the latest events for you to partake in:   

  • Today in NYC (Sat 4/9) at 2pm, we’ll be gathering atTimes Squareand marching to theConsulate General of Ukraine to #stopukrainiangenocide draw the world’s attention to the genocide carried by russia towards the Ukrainian nation.  More info here.  
  • Today in Washington D.C. (Sat 4/9) at 3-5pm, we’ll be doing a performance protest to draw the world’s attention to the genocide carried by russia towards the Ukrainian nation, as well as demand help for Ukrainians to fight back the russian aggression.  More info here. 
  • Today in Brooklyn (Sat 4/9) at 6-11pm there will be an opening party of Ukrainian artist, Kate Goltseva’s new exhibit ‘Peace’ at the Rich Ramsay Studio in Dumbo.  Half of the art sales will be donated to Razom.  Kate, born and raised in Kyiv, has an opportunity to share her new collection, inspired by the Ukraine she knows, to raise awareness of her country’s culture and contribute to those in need.  More info here.  
  • Today, 4/9 from 12-5pm CST in Westmont, IL the Uptown Tavern (12 W Burlington Ave) will be hosting a fundraising featuring music, drink specials, door prizes, and raffles to raise money for Razom.   
  • All weekend at the Little Market’s Noho location (637 Broadway, NYC) Divchata has partnered with the woman-owned, non-profit fair trade shop featuring ethically sourced, artisan-made products to shop for Ukraine.  100% of proceeds will be donated to Razom.  
  • On Sunday, 4/10 at 2pm we’ll be running #BoycottNestle pickets simultaneously at two locations: 1) SoHo, 92 Prince Street and 2) Uptown 935 Madison Avenue.  More info here. 
  • On Sunday, 4/10 at 6:30pm Reserva Wine Bar will host a Beacon Benefit for Ukraine featuring professional Broadway singers, international musicians, singer/songwriters and performing community members from Beacon, NY.  All proceeds will be going towards Razom.  More info here.
  • On Monday, 4/11 at 7:30pm the St. Malachy’s – The Actors’ Chapel and Mercury Opera team up to raise funds with FREEDOM, a concert for Ukraine.  Catch the line up and your tickets here. 
  • NYC Moms For A Cause will be hosting a Cocktail Reception to Benefit Ukrainian Families on April 12th, 6:30-9:00pm at the Ukrainian Institute of America.  The evening will include live performances, a silent auction, and heavy canapés and flowing drinks, all in support of Razom Emergency Response. 
  • Chicago Artists for Ukraine have organized a fundraising art sale and exhibit on Saturday, April 23rd from 4-11pm CST with all proceeds from ticket and art sales going to Razom.  More info here. 
  • On Saturday, 4/23 Arjana and Ivan, an acoustic duo based in NYC known for their unique takes and creative arrangements of tunes new and old, will be performing a benefit concert for Ukraine at the Nite Spot Night series at the MAC.  More info here.  
  • April 30th from 3:30-7:30pm the Hudson Valley Relief Benefit will feature guest speakers, music, food, and a silent auction.  Get you tickets and join Novellas Restaurant in New Paltz, NY to support Razom Emergency Response project!
  • May 3rd at 7pm the Church Street School for Music and Art in NYC will host a Concert For Ukraine featuring violinist Nadia Khodakovska and members of CSSMA faculty.  All proceeds will go to Razom.  To reserve tickets email tobywine@churchstreetschool.org. 
  • May 6th from 7-10pm the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, MI will be hosting a concert to benefit relief efforts through Razom.  More info here. 

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and continue to #StandWithUkriane.

Stay Razom.

Razom Team – Who Are We?

Published: April 2, 2022   

Many of our supporters and followers ask the same question – who are Razomers? And we, as always, answer that Razom is our volunteers, Razomers, whose hearts ache for Ukraine, who give their time, expertise and energy in pursuit of a common goal – a strong and independent Ukraine!

All of our photos show only a fraction of Razom volunteers. Today, Razom is comprised of:

  • 200+ active volunteers in the US (and a few hundred more who help periodically)
  • 20+ volunteers in Canada
  • 20+ volunteers in Poland
  • 50+ volunteers in Ukraine
  • dozens of partner organizations
  • procurement teams, logistics, sorting, warehouse platform developers, warehouse operators, drivers, communicators, financiers, donor support team, advocacy team, lawyers, protest and charity concert organizers, and an entire team responding to endless emails and phone calls

Our teams’ intense cooperation and hard work have resulted so far in:

  • more than 200 tons of cargo sent to Ukraine: tactical medicine, hospital medicine, civilian drones for safe medical delivery, walkie-talkies, telephones, rations
  • delivered goods to Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa regions
  • hundreds of events in support of Ukraine in the United States and Canada
  • hundreds of advocacy interviews in the US and Canadian press
  • and a great desire to win the war!

We are deeply grateful to all our volunteers for their dedication and tireless work!

Багато хто задає те саме запитання – хто такі Razomці? А ми, як завжди, відповідаємо, що Razom – це і є наші волонтери, Razomці, у яких болить серце за Україну, які віддають свій час, знання та енергію заради спільної мети – сильної та незалежної України!

На всіх наших фотографіях – лише частина волонтерів Razom. А загалом, наразі під час війни Razom – це:

  • 200+ активних волонтерів в США (і ще кілька сотень таких, що допомагають періодично)
  • 20+ волонтерів в Канаді
  • 20+ волонтерів в Польщі
  • 50+ волонтерів в Україні
  • десятки партнерських організацій
  • команди закупівель, логістики, сортування, розробники платформи складу, оператори складу, водії, комунікаційники, фінансисти, команда підтримки донорів, адвокаційна команда, юристи, організатори протестів і благодіних концертів, команда, яка відповідає на чисельні емейли і телефонні дзвінки

Інтенсивна співпраця та наполеглива робота наших команд наразі вже привели до наступних результатів:

  • понад 200 тон вантажів відправлених в Україну: тактична медицина, госпітальна медицина, цивільні дрони задля безпеки перевезень, рації, телефони, сухпайки
  • доставлені вантажі в Житомирську, Київську, Чернігівську, Сумську, Харківську, Луганську, Донецьку, Дніпровську, Запорізьку, Миколаївську, Одеську області
  • сотні подій на підтримку України в США і Канаді
  • сотні адвокаційних інтерв’ю в пресі США і Канади
  • і величезне бажання виграти війну! 

Ми щиро вдячні всім нашим волонтерам за самовідданість та невтомну працю!

Newsletter #9: Razom Health Team, volunteer fundraising spotlight, and latest roster of events

Published: March 31, 2022   

Below you’ll find updates from Razom Health team, a volunteer fundraising impact story grown out of WI, and a list of the latest events across the country for you to go and support Ukraine.

Dear Razom community,

The sorting and packing in our New Jersey warehouse doesn’t stop and that’s thanks to all of your (and our partners’) donations and our teams’ procurements that continue to pour in.  Each of the steps you take, big or small, are a part of a chain of support that makes a difference in Ukraine.  Today we want to shine a light on two different teams at Razom – the hospitals team and the US migrant task force team. 

Razom Health team (hospitals@razomforukraine.org) is a segment of our Emergency Response project that coordinates and partners with global health and major disaster relief organizations to collect in-kind donations of hospital supplies and medicines for Ukraine. Those partners include MedShare, PartnersforWorldHealth, Americares, and Afya Foundation.  Thanks to our on the ground partners Zdorovi and Patients of Ukraine (Пацієнти України), we have access to five warehouses across 3 different cities in Ukraine to be able to reliably distribute aid to hospitals in need.  Here’s what they’ve accomplished so far:

  • MedGlobal x Razom x UMANA x Ministry of Health in Ukraine are partnering to facilitate the first of several week-long medical missions by bringing a team of 10 trauma surgeons to Lviv, traveling with 160 suitcases of medical supplies and portable butterfly ultrasounds.  They will provide trainings for Ukrainian doctors on poly trauma surgical procedures/diagnostics/surgeries, on operating portable butterfly ultrasounds (donated by MedGlobal), and educating doctors on how to prepare (and act) in case of chemical warfare.
  • PartnersforWorldHealth has sent over 26 pallets of medical supplies to Razom, 7 of which we shipped by air and the rest by sea (based on priority of needs in Ukraine).  
  • MedShare is finalizing its first sea container of medical supplies to go to Ukraine next week, and has invited Razom to its 10th Annual Share the Good Gala on April 4th to raise funds for humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine. 
  • Americares is sending its 3rd large shipment of urgent medications next week via Razom for our partner in Ukraine Patients of Ukraine (Пацієнти України). 
  • We’ve also coordinated and received in-kind donations from hospitals and individual medical works that have collectively included:
    • 8 pallets of medical hospital supplies from UMass Memorial Medical Center
    • 1 woundvac and 5 boxes of surgical / central line catheters from private donations
    • 6 boxes of surgical supplies from Rhode Island Doctors donated to our tactical medicine efforts
  • FIGS donated 21 pallets of new hospital scrubs to military hospitals in Ukraine to boost morale of the overworked medical professionals.  
  • Help Heroes of Ukraine has been a major transportation partner for us, volunteering to deliver many pallets of aid on our behalf to our Meest warehouse in New Jersey.  

We are so grateful to be building long-term relationships with these organizations as they are key to Razom being able to respond quickly and at scale to needs in Ukraine.  There’s good reason we named ourselves Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian #RazomAccelerates.

Thanks to the work of the Door County Candle Company, there’s now a little bit of Ukraine lighting up homes in all 50 states in the U.S., including Puerto Rico.  Second generation Ukrainian-American, Christiana Gorchynsky Trapani, channeled her feelings of helplessness over what’s happening in Ukraine by putting her talents and resources to good use, and inspiring her community to do the same.  This artisan candle shop located in Sturgeon Bay, WI in Northern Wisconsin’s Door County Peninsula, has raised over $300,000 (and counting) for Razom’s Emergency Response by selling over 40,000 “Ukraine” candles.  That’s double the amount they’d usually sell in a year!    

To be able to get this done, Christiana got her father, an ER doctor helping when he’s not on shift, her Door County community of volunteers, and even the previous owner of the shop, who came out of retirement to help streamline the process.  People drive up from hours away to be a part of the volunteer effort pouring and preparing candles or making lunches and coffee for the team.  Even Christiana’s 82 year-old grandmother, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine as a child during World War II, is helping to sticker the packages. 

Everyday people from all walks of life, professions, creeds, ethnicities, and worldviews unite to do one thing to help Ukraine, and it’s so beautiful.  You don’t have to do everything, but you can do something, and together, that can be extraordinary.

Finally, here’s a list of events we’d like to bring to your attention and encourage you to support:  

  • On Saturday, April 2nd theUkrainian Bandura Chorus Concert of North America will be performing a Save the Ukrainian Voice Charitable Concert in Michigan with all proceeds benefiting Razom.  
  • On Saturday, April 2nd refnight.com (who goes to a hockey game every year to cheer for the referees and raise money for charity) has chosen Razom for an evening at a New Jersey Devils hockey game. 
  • All the proceeds from a Charity Gala Event on Sunday, April 3rd at the Oceana Theater in Brooklyn will be going to Razom’s Emergency Response project.   The event will be performance-based, with the acts varying from music (performances from KAZKA and Alyosha amongst others), children’s choir and dance, speeches, and video blocks (feat. Okean Elzy, Jamala, and Max Barskih).
  • NYC Moms For A Cause will be hosting a Cocktail Reception to Benefit Ukrainian Families on April 12th, 6:30-9:00pm at the Ukrainian Institute of America.  The evening will include live performances, a silent auction, and heavy canapés and flowing drinks, all in support of Razom’s Emergency Response. 
  • April 30th from 3:30-7:30pm the Hudson Valley Relief Benefit will feature guest speakers, music, food, and a silent auction.  Get you tickets and join Novellas Restaurant in New Paltz, NY to support Razom’s Emergency Response project!

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and continue to #StandWithUkraine. 

Stay Razom.

Candles Bring WI Community Together for Ukraine

Published: March 30, 2022   

Razom has brought so many people together that we’ve gotten into the habit of calling all of the volunteers stepping up to do what they can to help Ukraine as the “second front” of the war.  Everyday people from all walks of life, professions, creeds, ethnicities, and worldviews unite to do one thing to help Ukraine, and it’s so beautiful.  Small actions can have a big impact when we do things razom (meaning “together” in Ukrainian).  It’s one of the many reasons Ukraine will win.

We want to shine a light on one such story, which is the story of a second generation Ukrainian-American who channeled her feelings of helplessness over what’s happening in Ukraine by putting her talents and resources to good use.  In Sturgeon Bay, WI located in Northern Wisconsin’s Door County Peninsula, Christiana Gorchynsky Trapani began making blue and yellow candles at her small artisan shop called the Door County Candle Company to raise awareness about what’s happening in Ukraine in her community and raise funds for Razom’s Emergency Response project.

Christiana is the cousin of long-time Razom volunteer Taras Ferencevych.  You might remember him selling Turbat camping gear at the Razom Lounge in 2018 at the 7th Street Festival in New York City.  Razom’s success has always hinged on our ability to unlock the potential of a group of volunteers, and we are forever grateful for how they continue to show up.

In three week’s time, she sold over 40,000 “Ukraine” candles, raising over $300,000 (and counting) for Razom.  Expecting to sell around 300, 40k is double the amount of candles the shop would sell in a year.  They’ve delivered candles to all 50 states across the country.  To be able to get this done, Christiana got her father, an ER doctor helping when he’s not on shift, her Door County community of volunteers, and even the previous owner of the shop, who came out of retirement to help streamline the process.  People drive up from hours away to be a part of the volunteer effort pouring and preparing candles or making lunches and coffee for the team.

Even Christiana’s 82 year-old grandmother, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine as a child during World War II, is helping to sticker the packages.  When Christiana talks about watching her grandmother relive the war in Ukraine from when she was a child, she tears up.  Christiana born in the U.S. with Ukrainian as her first language, has family in Ukraine today.  What keeps her focused is remembering the bigger picture – that she, and the community she inspires, can make a difference for people fighting for their freedom in Ukraine.  You don’t have to do everything, but you can do something, and together, that can be extraordinary.

Christiana and her Babtsia
Door County Candle Company’s donation as of 5 days ago and still counting!

Newsletter #8: Tactical medicine deep dive and advocacy updates

Published: March 29, 2022   

This is our regularly scheduled newsletter with important updates about our Emergency Response Project, advocacy work, and a list of the latest opportunities to support Ukraine. 

Dear Razom Community,

At Razom, we believe that one of the most effective ways to support the heroic efforts of Ukrainian defenders on the ground in Ukraine is by equipping them with tactical medical supplies.  This was the form of humanitarian aid that we focused on from day one, and it continues to be on the top of the list of most requested aid from hotspots that are actively repelling russian occupiers across Ukraine.

Razom volunteers were able to act fast in procuring these types of supplies largely because of their gained experience from 2014.  Canada-based Tonia Kumko, founder of IntoMath (before she became one of our resident tacmed experts) is one of the leading volunteers on the tacmed team, says she never would have thought she’d be using that prior experience again.  Today it allows her team to make decisions and find supplies faster.

Up until this point, we’ve maintained a fairly high degree of transparency with you about our logistical chain and where our tactical medicine shipments land across Ukraine.  Given the developments of the past week however, it’s become increasingly more risky for us to share which regions (territorial defense units and hospitals) we are serving in Ukraine when it comes to delivering tacmed aid.  But rest assured that we are working hard to prioritize regions of Ukraine where this aid can make the most impact in saving lives.  In the meantime, here’s what Razomers on the other side of the Atlantic have managed to achieve:

  • Over $5M has been spent on tactical medicine and tacmed equipment.
  • Razom is averaging procuring 10,000 tourniquets per week (worth over $250,000/week) from the most reputable suppliers buying CAT, SOF-T and/or SAM brands.  In life-or-death situations, tourniquets stop arterial bleeding so the quality of this single-use device matters.  They continue to be the most sought-after and requested forms of aid across Ukraine.
  • Thanks to our strong ties to communities and professionals on the ground in Ukraine, we’re able to learn of exact needs quickly and act on some specific (if not esoteric) requests that can make a big difference.  A good example has been SAM splints (procured over 3,100 of them for $56,100), designed for immobilizing bone and soft tissue injuries in emergency settings.  What’s more, we work hard and smart with your donation money by researching the best possible supply chain deals.  Aside from the 80 SAM splints that we secured for free, our best negotiated discount so far was 60% off!
  • We’ve purchased over 10,300 chest seals for over $58,000.  Ukrainians in the U.S. and Canada have really stepped up to the plate in procuring these because the supply of chest seals has been completely depleted in North America…through July.  So Razomers found contacts in Australia and the U.K to buy over 6,000 of these, which are due to arrive in our warehouse in western Ukraine later this week.
  • A group of about 15 volunteers worked around the clock to sort and pack aid for shipment overseas.  In one week’s time they put together 2,000 IFAKs in our New Jersey warehouse.  These are not your regular first aid kits – they’re designed to treat traumatic injuries and severe bleeding, life-saving materials that in one week were worth collectively over $200,000.

With all of the determination and attention to detail Razomers put towards sourcing the best tactical medicine supplies for Ukraine, a small group of volunteers decided to build an IT system from scratch that enables Razom to account for this aid when it flies overseas and lands in our warehouse in western Ukraine.  With accurate tracking, we’re able to be much more efficient in distributing tacmed supplies based on our availability and quantities needed in different hotspots across Ukraine.  That IT system is constantly being maintained, updated, and refined as we grow our operations.

Never forget that you have the power to not just donate money to help Ukraine, but your time and talents too.  In New York City last week, our community has gone above and beyond in its advocacy work by organizing a second Mothers’ March across the city, a #SaveMariupol flashmob in Grand Central Station, and a flag raising ceremony at Bowling Green.  You can read more about the significance of that ceremony and New York Mayor Eric Adams’ speech here.  The Ukrainian flag at Bowling Green won’t come down until Ukraine is victorious, and Ukraine will be victorious.  Make it happen sooner: keep showing up when it matters. 

Yesterday (Sunday, 3/27) Razom co-hosted (along with United Help Ukraine, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, U.S. Ukrainian Activists, and the Renew Democracy Initiative) a rally at the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. to commemorate one month of Russia’s merciless invasion of Ukraine.  We later met with Ukrainian Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, and Kateryna Smagliy, First Secretary at the Ukrainian Embassy to the US, as a kick off to a round of meetings on the Hill with decision makers this week. 

Here are some events to put on your calendar for the weeks ahead, including one opportunities for today!  

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and continue to #StandWithUkraine.   After one month of war, don’t let apathy set in.

Stay Razom.

Art Sale To Benefit Humanitarian Relief in Ukraine

Published: March 24, 2022   

People all over the world have had some beautifully creative ways to fundraise for Razom’s Emergency Response Project and we are truly awed and inspired by their support. The latest independent initiative comes from a group of arts professionals who’ve launched ART FOR UKRAINE, an online benefit art sale of contemporary works where 100% of proceeds from the sales will be donated to Razom. Natasha Schlesinger (ArtMuse and Space2Curate) together with arts professionals Yulia Dultsina (Cultural Producer), Leily Soleimani (Independent Arts PR), and Terry Zucker (Art & Design Consultant) have created a platform for artists to generously donate their work and bring the power of the arts community to help raise essential funds for our critical response.

“We are shocked and appalled at what is happening in Ukraine, and could not sit by on the sidelines,”  said Natasha Schlesinger, Founder of ArtMuse. “As arts professionals we were compelled to engage in the way we know best, by reaching out to our artist and gallery friends.”

Artworks for sale include pieces by Alexandre Arrechea, Chellis Baird, Christopher Boffoli, The Bruce High Quality Foundation, Norbert Brunner, Tom Burckhardt, Stanley Casselman, Andrew Casto, Peter Dayton, Marc Dennis, Jonny Detiger, Susan Dory, Nevil Dwek, Adriana Echavarria, Damian Elwes, Zaria Forman, Josh Friedman, Nir Hod, Catherine Howe, Roxanne Jackson, KACE. (Stanley Casselman and Naeem Khan), Kim Keever, Gene Kiegel, Wole Lagunju, Heidi Lanino, Wheaton Mahoney, Yassi Mazandi, Tatyana Murray, Jen Ray, Samantha Rosenwald, Analia Saban, Suzanne Scott, Shura Skaya, Katrín Sigurdardóttir, David Smalling, Julia Santos Solomon, Boris Torres, Pedro Tyler, Thomas Witte, among others. Artists are continuing to join the initiative on a rolling basis with the sale being updated regularly.

We are grateful for this platform, for the artists donating their works, and for those acquiring them. You all continue to put meaning into what the word “razom” stands for, “together” for Ukraine.

Visit: https://evergreen.humanitru.com/web/campaigns/razom~art-for-ukraine

For more information on the initiative contact artforukraine.razom@gmail.com

Jen Ray, Yellow Rose, 2018, watercolor on paper. 15 x 7 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

Newsletter #7: Our impact is scaling, our voices need to be heard

Published: March 22, 2022   

We start this newsletter with a moment of gratitude for all of you, followed by an update on the latest impact stories, and ending with a list of community engagement and advocacy resources.

Dear Razom Community,

From all of us, thank you wholeheartedly every donor for the support of Razom’s work in this trying time of crisis.  Your donations are going toward providing critical aid relief, support for displaced persons, and amplifying Ukraine’s story and the voices of Ukrainians. In a couple of months we’ll be able to acknowledge and write to each and every one of you. Your support gives us hope and strength. But right now, we ask for your patience as we work tirelessly to transform your money into support in the right hands in Ukraine.  

The latest updates on progress and impact of the Razom Emergency Response Project:

  • You can now become a part of the Razom procurement team by buying humanitarian aid items that are urgently needed but not impossible to find off of our Amazon Custom Gift List.  Razom volunteers will deliver and sort the items in our New Jersey warehouse with Meest before shipping it out Ukraine.  
  • An Americares donation of the most critically needed hospital supplies has been delivered to the Cancer Institute of Kyiv in Ukraine that includes 9.5 pallets with 921 cases totaling 6,283 pounds of supplies that will be distributed to several more hospitals in Kyiv.
  • Razom’s procurement of a defibrillator, insulin, and other important medicines like metformin, glimepiride, levothyroxine was delivered to the Ukrainian Diabetes Association in Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Luhansk regions.  We accomplished this in partnership with volunteers at AWO Ortsverein Reischach – AG and Ukraine-HILFE Berlin e.V.  
  • Razom volunteers have made a total of 7 trips carrying tactical medicine cargo to various volunteer civilian defense corps prioritizing cities and regions where Ukrainians are actively repelling russian occupiers.  
  • Razom has secured 50 drones across the Polish border that will be used to ensure the safe delivery of medical and tactical medical supplies by our volunteers traveling across hotspot areas in Ukraine.
  • Razom issued a grant to long-time partner BUR (Building Ukraine Together) to support their programs helping internally displaced people in Ukraine by renovating infrastructure, building shelter camps for IDPs, and offering humanitarian aid across Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv.  We continue to support and collaborate with them.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who work on the “second front” of this war!  None of this impact would have been possible without your unwavering determination to getting the work done. 

Medical supplies preparing for shipment
Tacmed delivered to a volunteer civilian defense corp
Americares’ Donation
Razom volunteers at the sorting warehouse, preparing the next shipment

This week there are a number of events and rallies for you to join to help advocate for Ukraine and/or fundraise for Razom’s Emergency Response Project.  We hope to see you there! 

  • Please join Mayor Adams along with the honorable Oleksii Holubov, Ukrainian Consulate General, and Prominent Ukrainians, Ukrainian-Americans and Friends of Ukraine to raise the Ukrainian Flag in Bowling Green Park today, Wednesday, March 23rd at 4:30 pm.  The Ukrainian flag will fly every day beside the American flag until Ukraine is victorious and the russian invaders are gone.
  • Later that same day, join us at Grand Central Terminal at 6:30pm to witness or be a part of a Flash Mob Protest to #SaveMariupol.  Mariupol has been under near constant siege for several weeks and seen some of the worst attacks in the war, including deadly strikes on a maternity ward of a hospital, the bombing of a theater housing over a thousand civilians (the losses from which are still unknown), amongst other horrific events.  For more details and to become a part of the Flash Mob Protest, please join our Signal group https://bit.ly/SAVEMARIUPOL
  • Sunday, March 27th will be a National Day of Action to #StandWithUkraine including a rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.  Let’s seize this moment to call on the world to act now to help Ukrainians continue fighting for freedom and democracy and for Ukraine’s right to thrive and survive.
  • All the proceeds from a Charity Gala Event on Sunday, April 3rd at the Oceana Theater in Brooklyn will be going to Razom’s Emergency Response project.   The event will be performance-based, with the acts varying from music (performances from KAZKA and Alyosha amongst others), children’s choir and dance, speeches, and video blocks (feat. Okean Elzy, Jamala, and Max Barskih).

As always, keep in touch with us via this newsletter, our blog, and our social media channels where we share more real-time info you need to know to stand with Ukraine.  Consider making a gift to Razom or our partner organizations (like BUR!) for us to continue to do this work.  We are awed by your tremendous support.

Stay Razom.

BUR Supporting Displaced Families

Published: March 21, 2022   

We’d like to share an important update from our partner Building Ukraine Together (BUR) about how they have adapted their activities to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) since the russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th 2022.

Thousands of displaced families are in need of your help.  Schools and community halls are being made available, but there is an immediate need for basic items – beds blankets, cooking utensils, and personal hygiene products. You can support BUR’s work by donating below.  As a Razom partner, these donations are 501(c)3 deductible.

BUR’s key areas of operation right now are:

  • Cooperating with organizations to meet the needs of their volunteers who are at the forefront of defending Ukrainian freedom.
  • Communicating with volunteers who remain in the combat zone about humanitarian needs and evolving situation in the country.
  • Organizing the logistics of delivering supplies from Lviv to different Ukrainian cities.

In the early days of the full-scale war, Razom issued a $50,000 grant to support this work.  Below is an overview of how those funds were used:

  • Procuring and delivering humanitarian aid – ranging from food, medicines, to sleeping bags – in Lviv, Kharkiv, Skadovsk and Kherson.
  • Preparing and delivering food for territorial defense units (civilian volunteers) and hospitals in Kharkiv.
  • Vehicle rentals for the transportation of this aid and evacuations of civilians (specifically from Kharkiv to Dnipro).
  • Purchasing of chainsaws for territorial defense units (civilian volunteers) and Emergency Services of Kharkiv to dismantle debris from the destruction and rescue people from rubble.

You can find updates from BUR on their social media:

https://www.facebook.com/BuildingUkraineTogether

https://instagram.com/burburbuuur

Building Ukraine Together (BUR) is a program of the “Ukrainian Educational Platform“, which creates opportunities for youth to make changes in their country through volunteering. Ukrainian Educational Platform is a charitable organization (2000-2021 – Lviv Education Foundation). It has impacted positive change with more than 10 years of experience in social transformations. They believe in Ukraine, they unite, educate, and support people with leadership potential who create vibrant local communities through volunteer, educational, and social projects.

All-American #StandWithUkraine Telethon

Published: March 18, 2022   

On Tuesday 22 March, put aside 15 minutes to call your Representatives in Congress and demand more support for Ukraine. It’s easy, but the impact is real. Join us!

On Tuesday, March 22, call your representatives in Congress and demand more support for Ukraine. 
Click here to join the Facebook event. Mark your calendar now!

Here’s how:

  1. Set aside 15 minutes in your day on Tuesday 22 March between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.
  2. Click here to find your Representatives.
  3. Call each of your Representatives at the listed number. Yes, you must call each one of them.
  4. If there is an option to leave a message – leave a message. If someone from the Representative’s office picks up, ask to leave a message for the Representative.
  5. Here’s the script:

My name is __________, my zip code is _________, and I am calling as a (Ukrainian-American) constituent of Representative ____________ who is concerned about russia’s violent war against Ukraine. I demand more support for Ukraine on any and all levels possible so that Ukraine can win the war and protect the values of liberty, freedom, and democracy for us all. The US government should be doing everything possible to help Ukraine win the war. Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an assault on us all.

As my representative I strongly ask you to advocate to:

1.  Increase military spending for military planes, anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons for Ukraine. Support Ukraine to protect its airspace and defend itself. 

2. Increase targeted sanctions against Russian oligarchs and elites who stash assets and money in the US. 

3. Increase monetary, military, and humanitarian support for Ukraine, and work with Ukraine’s strategic partners around the world to increase this support multilaterally.

All of these actions are critical for our country’s security. Thank you for representing my concerns in these urgent issues.   

(Feel free to customize the script as you see fit. Feel free to tell a short, personal story.)

  1. Call or text a friend and ask them to call their Representatives in Congress, too. Give them these instructions.
  2. Post on social media that you’ve just finished calling your Representatives in Congress and demanding more support for Ukraine. Use the hashtags #StandWithUkraine and #PlanesForUkraine. 
  3. That’s it! You’ve probably saved some lives by just making a few phone calls. 

Ukraine thanks you!

CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE SPREADSHEET WITH
SENATORS’ PHONE NUMBERS AND THEIR STANCES ON UKRAINE.