A former chauffeur and jeweler from Kropyvnytskyi, this resilient individual faces numerous health challenges, often requiring hospital stays. Despite the looming threat of bombings, he avoids shelters due to mobility issues stemming from diabetes-related amputations. Living alone on the third floor, he's isolated, rarely venturing even into the corridor. “When there was no light, I turned on the battery-powered radio given by Action for Ukraine and listened to the news - where and what kind of shelling. I was waiting for the light to come on. A lamp with a power bank and a blanket from Action for Ukraine helped a lot. Although my apartment has gas heating - it doesn’t heat up much, I used the heater from Action from Ukraine, as it saves money on utilities expenses. The heater from Action for Ukraine saved me.”

Born in Dnipro in 1946, Vladimir Mikhailovich Slutsky recalls his parents' resilience during the city's post-war era. As a design engineer, he later settled in Novomoskovsk with his wife. The war's onset was unexpected, but they chose to stay, preparing essentials and identifying nearby shelters. Vladimir, with his engineering insight, deemed their home's semi-basement unsafe during raids. They faced missile attacks without shelter, fearing their home's collapse. Amidst challenges, Vladimir remained hopeful for peace. Their neighborhood escaped major damages, and scheduled power outages were manageable. However, it was Action for Ukraine's aid, including heated vests, lamps, and power banks, that truly made a difference, offering warmth and light during challenging times.

Born in 1942 in Kropivnitsky, Lilia spent her life dedicated to the Kirovograd radio manufacturing plant, earning accolades for her work. The Foundation's support was pivotal during her battle with COVID-19, ensuring she had the necessary medication. The 2022 war's onset was marked by a chilling call from her daughter, announcing bombings. The ensuing air alerts and the war's cacophony left Lilia in perpetual fear. Despite the temptation to flee, she chose to stay, seeking refuge in her apartment's corridor. The distance to a real shelter and her home's location on the fourth floor made it challenging. Winter blackouts intensified her fears, with the Foundation's gift of a power bank and lamp proving invaluable. Lilia expresses profound gratitude for the unwavering support, especially from distant well-wishers in the US, emphasizing the difference such gestures make during trying times.

Nina, a resident of Novomoskovsk for over 25 years, now finds herself in one of the most frequently shelled areas. Originally from the Mari Republic, she moved to Dnipro as a young girl, working at a knitting factory and later at a plant where she met her husband. Now widowed for 11 years and living alone, the isolation intensified during the pandemic. Grateful for the support from Action-PSJ and coordinator Alyona, she found solace. The war's onset was terrifying, but her faith in Ukraine's victory and the army's protection kept her grounded. Living on the second floor, she sought refuge in a makeshift shelter in her building's cellar during intense shelling. With more accurate alerts, she now uses the shelter less frequently. The support from Action for Ukraine Foundation, including a lamp, power bank, heater, and blanket, has been invaluable, reminding her she's not alone during these challenging times.

Born in Kamenskoye, now Dneprozderzhynsk, Irina's life has been intertwined with books, working as a philologist in schools, libraries, and colleges. She shares her home with her sister, Ludmila, who has had a disability since childhood. The onset of war was a shock, learned through a US friend's message. With no initial alert system, the unpredictability of shelling was terrifying. The thought of fleeing was overshadowed by concerns for her sister's health. Living in a house without a basement or nearby shelter, the frequent alerts made seeking distant refuge risky. Amidst the war's chaos, Irina finds solace in daily chores, from pharmacy visits to caring for Ludmila. Extended blackouts during shelling heightened their fears. However, USB-heated vests and blankets from the Foundation provided warmth, especially when conserving heating. Irina expresses deep gratitude for the distant support, often feeling it surpasses even that from closer quarters.

Born with multiple disabilities, he relies on the care of his brother's wife. Unable to comprehend the world around him, he neither speaks, hears well, nor sees clearly. The foundation's coordinator has been instrumental, providing adult incontinence supplies that greatly benefit the family. The war's realities elude him; sirens and explosions go unnoticed. Living on the ninth floor, he can't access the basement during alerts. The energy crisis posed challenges, especially with electric heating. However, the foundation's aid was invaluable. A heated vest became his shield against the cold. His room, pre-warmed with a heater from Action for Ukraine, became his sanctuary, further comforted by a foundation-provided blanket. A gifted lamp ensured his safety during blackouts, preventing potential injuries in the dark.

Rita Lvovna Dulina, born in 1947 in Kirovograd, carries a legacy of wartime challenges. Her family faced hardships during WWII, with her mother becoming an orphan and her father losing his first family to the Nazis. Rita, a graduate of the Poltava Institute of Trade, dedicated her life to her profession, later working at a synagogue until retirement. Now a widow, she lives alone on the fourth floor and is bedridden, relying on a social worker's care. The current war has intensified her vulnerabilities. Unable to move during air raids, her phone becomes her lifeline, her connection to the outside world. Blackouts threatened this connection, but Action Foundation's timely aid with lamps and power banks restored her lifeline. With ongoing health issues, the foundation's assistance in procuring medications has been invaluable. Rita remains hopeful, deeply grateful to those supporting her through Action Foundation, awaiting the day peace returns.

Born to Jewish parents, Yana's life took a tragic turn in her thirties when a car accident resulted in a severe craniocerebral injury. This incident clouded her mental state for years. Seeking medical treatment, she moved to Israel, where her daughter was already living with her in-laws. Although doctors alleviated some of her health issues, cognitive challenges persisted. Eventually, Yana returned to Ukraine, living with her mother until her passing two years ago. Now, Yana grapples with diabetes, chronic back pain, and limited mobility. The war, which she learned about from her nephew, is a reality she struggles to accept, choosing to shield herself from its existence. However, blackouts threatened her fragile mental sanctuary. With rising costs in the wake of the conflict, the support from Action-PSJ has become a beacon of hope, ensuring her essential needs are met.