On Helping

Edith/Maddie here, trying to feel hopeful.

Caution: Today’s post is a diversion from writing-related topics – sort of.

We are living in somber times. A war resulting from a brutal invasion is waging in Europe. Many Ukrainians and Russians are suffering, and I know I’m not alone in feeling at a loss to understand what we can do to help.

I’m here to suggest a few ways.

Kensington Publishing opened an auction on Friday to raise money for Ukraine relief, with many authors and publishing professionals contributing. It runs until March 24.

The Wicked Authors as a group have two donations: a set of signed books, and a Zoom cocktail (or tea) hour. Barb has signed ARCs up there, and I have a jigsaw puzzle as well as a foodie-cozy-and-apron donation. The Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen blog also donated a bundle of recipe cards. All proceeds will go to Direct Relief, who is working closely with Ukraine’s Ministry of Health.  Start exploring the auction here: https://www.32auctions.com/benefitforukraine

Authors for Ukraine is another charity auction that’s coming up. Maddie and I have donations there, too, along with many dozens of other authors. Proceeds from that auction will go to CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund. The Authors for Ukraine auction starts on March 29 and closes on April 12, and I hope you’ll check out the hundreds of items on offer.

Yevgeniy M, a US military physician friend of my son who was born in Ukraine and now serves in Texas, is collecting certain medical supplies to send. If you have access to that and would like to contact Yev, please write to me at edith@edithmaxwell.com.

I’m a long-time Quaker, and our Meeting has been in touch with the Quakers of Kyiv. Many around the world have held them in prayer and sent messages, and the Ukrainians have been so touched. We have also heard stories of non-violent resistance by those under siege, with Ukrainians removing highway and street signs so their GPS-less invaders get hopelessly lost, for example.

And then there are solidarity actions any of us can do. Standing in peace vigils. Adding gold and blue to profile pictures or to your lamppost. Oh, and baking cakes. I wanted to bake a cake last week. I had sour cream in the fridge and looked up Ukrainian desserts. Poppyseed cake, full of sour cream and butter, appears to be a typical dessert in the region. (It was delicious.)

And if you need a small bright spot of hope, here are baby pre-daffodils just up in my garden next to the relentlessly cheerful dancing frogs.

Readers: List your suggestions for how to help – or how to keep your spirits up.