Touch1Life.org

isn't just about helping Ukrainian kids it is also about helping families in need in our community. We recently learned about Chris. He lost both of his parents and was taken in by distant relatives. At 13, he has never owned a bike. As it turned out, red is his favorite color and he was happy to see that his new bike and helmet were both red! It is my hope that our efforts will help him ride his way into those formative teenage years in style.

Of all our efforts helping Ukrainians during this time, this was one of the most touching and rewarding moments. When a refugee mother posted online looking for toys and items for her child - items that they had to leave behind, I knew that we could help. I knew it would be a special experience for me as I was about the same age when we arrived in the US as refugees.

As we pulled items out of the trunk of my car, this little 4 year old excitedly grabbed each item. I knew she was eagerly awaiting a bicycle and scooter but when she saw the rollerskates her eyes lit up. Her little shoes quickly came off and her foot was in one rollerskate before I could even unlace it. She held onto a toy stroller and draped a toy car seat on one arm while the other arm grabbed for a little keyboard piano. Then her eyes noticed all the princess dresses of her favorite characters... she paused and squealed from excitement but quickly took off for a ride down the driveway. I snapped this picture with her parent's permission. She skated back towards my car, examined a few more items...found a tiara and took off again. We talked to her parents for a bit about their journey here and then we see the little girl lose her balance and fall. We rushed to help her up and, like a true Ukrainian, she said "vse normalno" (everything is okay)... straightened her crown and kept going.

Thank you, sweet child, for reminding me of my beginnings.

Meet Alex! We have been able to gift him and over 30 newly arrived Ukrainian children with bicycles. As families were forced to flee a war zone - packing toys and bikes for their kids was not an option. As they restart their lives in the US and focus on surviving in a foreign country...buying bikes, is understandably, not their priority. We have brought joy to numerous kids by giving them toys, clothes and bikes.

Join our efforts. Donate today and help us help more local families.

www.Touch1Life.org