I live near Boston, work as a copywriter and editor for American and Ukrainian companies, and have been studying Ukrainian for a year and a half.

In the first week of the full-scale invasion, I brought sunflowers to my Ukrainian neighbor, not knowing what to say. She told me about her family in Odesa and what they were going through. When I got home, I cried harder than ever before. My shock and numbness turned into determination, because that moment made me realize this was not just happening on my TV screen. While thinking through what I could do, I began learning Ukrainian. Ukrainians I met in the U.S. and in Ukraine have been incredibly supportive of this journey.

I donate my entire fee from working with a Ukrainian SMM agency to the defense direction through UNITED24. I also organize birthday fundraisers. I chose the defense direction because nothing matters more than contributing to Ukraine’s victory. I don’t think there are enough words to support people who inspire the world. All I can say is thank you.