“Reindeer of St. Nicholas” initiative gathers gifts for displaced Ukrainian kids and those near front line

Volunteers from the charity project "Reindeer of St. Nicholas" are once again collecting gifts for displaced children, kids from front-line cities and liberated territories. 

The gift collection was announced on the "Reindeer of St. Nicholas" Facebook page, Rubryka reports.

What's the problem?

Children always anticipate fairy tales, wonders, and new hopes during the New Year and Christmas holidays. Displaced children, those living near the demarcation line or in liberated territories, are in dire need of a distraction.

Giving them a bit of real childhood is essential, providing a sense of protection, joy, and the belief that dreams come true and matter to other people. Their desires and words matter. It remains crucial no matter what is happening around them. No enemies can take this away from them.

Children's wishes are simple — someone wants a warm onesie, someone asks for building sets, someone wants a doll or a toy car, and others may wish for toy weapons.

What's the solution?

Volunteers from the annual charity project are once again collecting gifts. Vulnerable children write letters to "Reindeers of St. Nicholas" with wishes for Christmas holiday presents.

"It's time for us to open the first part of the Children's Dreams Base! There are 500+ children here, but most likely, this is only a quarter. Letters are still coming to us," the volunteers said. "We hope that all those who want to become Wizards for the kids will have enough dreams to make come true." 

How does it work?

For those who want to join the project for the first time, the volunteers explain that you need to choose one child from the "dream database" whose wish resonated with you. Click "Become a Wizard" and fill out the form.

"If you choose a child, no one else will have the opportunity to choose this child and give them the present. So, please, be responsible," the volunteers stress.

If a company participates in the charitable project, it can be assigned a specific location or several — 20, 30, or 50 — children.

Every gift must be marked on the package with a settlement, name and surname, and child's age.

Unaddressed gifts, such as books, new toys, or sweets, can also be sent to Kharkiv (Nova Poshta branch #36, Inna Achkasova, +380661037821) and will be distributed to children.

You can support the charitable project with money for fuel, sweets, and vehicle repairs at Monobank 5375 4141 2458 9465 and PayPal: dissplanerenok@gmail.com

Background

The charity initiative "Reindeer of St. Nicholas" was launched in Kharkiv in 2016 to support children from front-line settlements. Its main goal has always been fundraising and collecting gifts to organize New Year celebrations for children living near the demarcation line. Anyone willing can participate in the initiative.

Last year, Germany's St. Nicholas' mail responded to letters from Ukrainian children in their language for the first time. 

The Ukrainian Railways launched a retro-train with a steam locomotive around Kyiv during the Christmas and New Year holidays