We are proud that last week we officially closed our largest project to date. Ukraine TrustChain teams provided firewood to 74 remote and frontline villages of Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Donbas regions.

It’s been two years since the founding of Ukraine TrustChain. Two years ago we sent our first dollar to Ukrainian volunteers a few days before forming an official charity. The people we met in that fateful week are still volunteering.

Last weekend our US volunteers joined thousands of other Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine at the numerous rallies across the world marking the two-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion. We also joined forces to demand that congress finally vote (at least!) on bill H.R. 815 that could unlock the aid to Ukraine – so vital in holding back Russia’s invasion.

This week marks a tragic milestone - 2 years since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Each week our volunteers risk their lives evacuating civilians from the occupied and close to the front line territories, deliver food, water, firewood, and other essentials to the remote villages and small towns where help needed most.

This week marks 100 newsletters that our team has written. In 100 weeks, we have reported on the very mundane yet extraordinary feats that continue to awe us even as we have become accustomed to the stories and this everyday heroism.

The need for firewood is great. There is no water, no gas, as the gas pipes are completely perforated by shrapnel, and the only heat comes from stove heating. Multiple NGOs had collected lists of people who particularly needed help, but none of them managed to come through. People only received help from us.

Along with hundreds of donations large and small that arrived during and after the holiday season, you have also sent us postcards, letters and sticky notes expressing your support for Ukrainian Volunteers., our courageous volunteer from Odesa, said it best: “Thank you, this support is inspiring. It's a blessing that compassion for our sorrow leads to such kind deeds.''

We continue to be in awe of our supporters’ willingness to connect and empathize with a tragedy taking place in Ukraine thousand miles away.

Volunteers in Kharkiv, Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih are busy visiting shelters and homes of those who lost windows in rocket attacks on their cities last week and need urgent help as the winter temperatures set in. Major deliveries of firewood continued over the icy roads in Kherson region and Donbas.

Between December 29th and January 2nd, Ukraine suffered the most intense rocket and drone attacks in the history of this war. Russia hit major cities: Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv and Kyiv, far away from the frontline, targeting mostly civilian infrastructure.

As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on the 22 months we’ve spent supporting volunteer efforts in Ukraine.

Firewood and coal are the only sources of heat, which became particularly relevant after the blizzards last week. This enormous effort is made possible by your continued generosity.

Today, Ukraine needs US support more than ever, and for the first time since the full scale invasion, Congress failed to help Ukraine.

The International Volunteer Day was celebrated in Ukraine, by the millions of people who’ve been helped by Ukrainian volunteers.

This week marks the start of the giving season in the US. We are incredibly grateful to all of you who continue to fund this important effort and share information about it with the people who trust you.

Two weeks ago we told you about a donation matching offer. We are grateful for your donations, and eager to share that, even before the end of the month, we have raised the $25k matching grant. We are overwhelmed by your support and the success of this campaign.

The volunteer network we support continues to create a tapestry of grassroots effort to alleviate the suffering of Ukrainian civilians. As we approach the Giving Tuesday this year, we ask for your help in amplifying our reach among the people that you trust.

Our funds help us cover some of the most important directions, like providing windows and roofs, and to outfit a Childern’s center. Please consider donating today or include us in your holiday giving plans. And as always, we are grateful to you for helping to spread the word.