My running journey is and will forever be linked to my time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine. Ukraine is where I became a runner, graduating over the course of my nearly three years there from barely being able to run a mile to finishing my first half-marathon. I never got to run a full marathon in Ukraine, but this fall I will be making the trip to Chicago to race in the Chicago Marathon, and I'm using this opportunity to raise money for an organization doing incredible work in Ukraine to provide essential and lifesaving support to the country and its citizens during this horrific and unjustified war. I became aware of this organization via a close Ukrainian friend and mentor who has been heavily involved in their operations, and they quickly became my go-to and deeply trusted charity to route my donations to over the last year and a half.

Ukrainian Action is an NGO dedicated to supporting the survival and development of Ukrainian Citizens. They buy vehicles in the UK (Pickups, Ambulances, SUVs) and then drive/donate them to Ukraine. The vehicles are filled with donated or purchased supplies (Medical, humanitarian, protective, and generators). These vehicles save lives by distributing humanitarian aid to liberated areas and evacuating civilians from conflict. They are 100% Volunteer run with no staff costs and are a US tax-exempt charity (501c3) with pending UK charity status.

I cannot go for a run in my host community in Ukraine right now, and even if I could I'm not sure what my old running routes would look like. My town was one of the first sites of ground conflict when the invasion began. I've seen videos of my old neighborhoods and parks completely destroyed. And that is just in one town. Ukraine has a total area of 233,088 square miles, and all across the country are towns like mine and people who are living through this war daily. They need and deserve our help. I don't have the ability or the network to raise $233,000 so I went ahead and made it a more reasonable goal - $2,330. This money will help Ukrainian Action purchase lifesaving supplies and deliver them to those in need. Thank you for your help in contributing to this very personal and deeply important cause.