Thank You From Kharkiv
August 2nd, 2022 Letter #14
Dear Friends,
My name is Maxim Orekhov, I am the founder of the Just People Charitable Foundation, Ukraine, Kharkiv. I must say right away that until February 24, 2022, I did not do charity work in any form. I was an ordinary Ukrainian entrepreneur. Not poor and not rich. But the war came home I made my choice. Until I am drafted into the army - I will try to make life easier for my native city and its citizens, for those who, due to age or health, or other circumstances, cannot escape to safer areas, and take care of themselves.
From 24th of February, I and my like-minded friends, including members of my family, evacuated people from Kharkiv to safe cities, brought food and medicines to Kharkiv and delivered all this to where it was most needed - to the elderly, lonely, disabled, families with children, to the basements of destroyed houses, where their inhabitants were hiding.
In addition, we did our best to help and continue to help Ukrainian Army units with tools, medical vehicles, non-lethal military equipment, and so on.
Many local businessmen and women turned into humanitarian volunteers. In the first months, we conducted our activities using our own funds, earned, and accumulated in the pre-war period. When these funds were exhausted, we began to turn to caring benefactors for help. These include individuals and charitable organizations. Separately, I would like to say about our US philanthropists.
ShareUkraine, also known as Friends of Senya (Sam) Rozenberg, and Igor Koval with his team. ShareUkraine donated over $50,000 for charitable purposes. With this money (with the consent of Senya, of course, medicines, food and fuel, cars were purchased, vehicles for military doctors were repaired, and non-lethal military equipment was bought. We are even undertaking a project of constructing Israeli type bomb shelters in the critical areas of the city. ShareUkraine did it of their own free will, in accordance with the laws of conscience. Asking nothing in return.
Igor Koval and his foundation shared military equipment with us for further transfer to the army. Priceless things that save the lives of our soldiers.
To say that this help is invaluable is to say nothing. Without the help of these people and other Americans, Argentinians, Israelis, and people who chose to be on the right side of history by extending a helping hand to us, it would have been incredibly difficult for us. It is difficult to convey the surprise and gratitude of the army fighters and ordinary citizens when they learned that help had come to them from across the ocean, when they realized that even on the other side of the globe there are people who are not indifferent to Ukraine and are ready to help in word and more importantly in deed. These people just do good deeds for distant and unfamiliar people.
To Igor Koval and his children, also American volunteers, I want to say that in this difficult time for my country, you not only helped Ukraine, but also found a friend in my person. I am in your debt. You can count on me anytime, no matter what happens. I give you all a big hug.
Best regards,
Your Maxim Oriekhov. Head of the Charitable Foundation "Just People"