Ideas for Helping Ukrainians

As we all watch the horrifying events unfolding in Ukraine, we are all thinking about what we can do to help all the people who are suffering and those in the neighboring countries who are opening their homes and their hearts. 

For those who are charitably inclined, we want to provide some ideas.

As always, make sure that the organization(s) you are donating to are legitimate and meet your own personal criteria for charitable contributions.  We recommend donating directly through the charity’s website.  Scammers are definitely out there, as we all know.  For those of you who have not done your 2022 RMD yet, you can donate that distribution to a registered charitable organization without paying income taxes on the donation.  Let us know if you are interested in doing this and we will generate the paperwork for you. 

Red Cross:  https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine  Helps with shelter, first aid and medical supplies inside and outside Ukraine.

UNICEF:  https://www.unicefusa.org/   Supports health, nutrition, safe water and protection for children and families.

Doctors without Borders:   https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org   works with local volunteers to help victims access medical care and prescriptions.

And our personal favorite which you may have read about

AirBnb:  https://www.airbnb.org/  Book a “stay” at a home in a besieged city in Ukraine.  Airbnb is waiving the guest and host fees and the dollars go directly to the host you choose right away.  Just tell the host you will not be using your stay, at least not right now.  Be sure the host is legitimate and has been operating for a while.  OR you can donate to “host” a Ukrainian refugee in another country.  Two great ways to get dollars directly to Ukrainians very quickly!