Donate to Assist Ukrainian Refugees in USA

Hi, my name is James Moon, and I recently took in two Ukrainian Refugees, Dasha and her mother Vita.

Dasha and Vita fled their homes in Kyiv, Ukraine the first night the bombs fell on Kyiv. For the next 10 days, Dasha and Vita frantically navigated their way through numerous countries, abandoned their car in Bulgaria, and finally made it to Istanbul, Turkey where their options closed until they could get to the United States. That is where my husband Robbie and I come in. While in Istanbul, the administrator of a grassroots Facebook Group dedicated to assisting Ukrainian refugees connected us with Dasha and Vita! Turns out, they had tickets to Miami already, because a family had agreed to host them. But, unfortunately, the family ghosted them at the last minute leaving them with tickets to Miami, the countdown to their flight, and nowhere to stay. Of course, we stepped in and Dasha and Vita are SAFE now. When they got here, Dasha and Vita had little more than carry-on luggage - not even a backpack! And as you can imagine, Dasha and Vita have limited resources now. Dasha's dad and brother are in the military and had to stay and fight the Russians in Ukraine. So I am counting on you - my friends, family, and fellow Americans to assist this family.

Many of you have asked me how YOU can help. Many of you have felt frustrated and powerless watching the horror of war in Ukraine without knowing how you can give concrete help. THIS IS HOW. How much longer can we sit idly by while innocent women and children are killed and wounded to assuage the ego of that war criminal Putin? Take that frustration and turn it into something positive. Dasha and Vita are not statistics, they are warm, kind, funny (considering the circumstances), and have been very difficult to help. They do not want to impose, so it has been very hard getting them to accept that it is okay for us to help them. They are a proud people, these Ukrainians -- and while they do not need or seek our pity, they do need help -- even if getting them to admit that is hard sometimes.

A final point: You may be surprised to know that 10 MILLION Ukrainians have been displaced which is roughly 25% of their entire population! Of that amount, 3.4 Million have fled abroad, with over 2 Million finding refuge in Poland. But as for the United States -- we have a grand total of only 690 Ukrainians! President Biden recently announced that 100,000 refugees will be let in, but that has not happened yet, the rules have not been established, and it is doubtful relief will come soon if history is any guide (see Afghan refugees). In the meantime, those that are here in a foreign land, with little knowledge of our customs, language, and bureaucracy need help NOW.

Although the United States does not currently allow Ukrainians to apply for refugee status and does not allow Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians unless already in the United States by March 1, 2022 (and related to someone here), Dasha and Vita were lucky enough to have a valid tourist visa for the United States. As such, they were able to come to the United States where I can put a roof over their head. However, this is only an emergency and temporary solution, and they cannot work on a tourist visa.

Dasha and Vita just had their entire lives thrown into the air, and they really need our help with all the typical things we all need to survive day-to-day.

If we can raise enough, Dasha and Vita may be able to get a place to stay that is better than my guest room! They will also need funds for the immigration lawyer we will retain for them.

I am asking - no, I am pleading with you to assist Dasha and Vita with expenses now that they are here. Please share this page far and wide so we can give Dasha and Vita real security while Robbie and I try to sort out the Byzantine US immigration system with the help of some immigration lawyers.

Thank you for your consideration, and PLEASE SHARE THIS with your friends, family, and folks you think might be willing to help!

In peace,

James and Robbie Moon