This week, in partnership with Spirit of Ukraine Foundation, we held our very first holiday event of the season at The Dacha Centre—a place that has become incredibly meaningful to us. The Dacha Centre provides a warm, supportive home for children undergoing cancer treatment and their families, offering not just accommodation, but comfort, community, and care during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
With St. Nicholas Day just around the corner, we wanted to create a moment of joy and celebration for the children—a chance to step away, even briefly, from hospital routines and treatment schedules. Together, we gathered for an early holiday celebration filled with creativity, laughter, and connection.
We brought gingerbread house kits for the children to build and decorate, turning the room into a lively, festive workshop. There’s something special about watching kids immerse themselves in creativity—carefully placing candies, comparing designs, and proudly showing off their finished houses. Alongside the activity, we shared pizza, snacks, and drinks, creating a relaxed space where everyone could simply enjoy being together.
Moments like this matter more than they might seem on the surface. For children facing serious illness, and for families carrying the emotional weight that comes with it, opportunities to laugh, create, and celebrate are incredibly important. They bring a sense of normalcy, joy, and light during a time that can otherwise feel overwhelming. For us as a team, being present in those moments—seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter—is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
We are deeply grateful to our partners and to everyone who contributed donations to make this day possible. Your support directly translates into experiences like this—moments of happiness that children and families truly deserve.
As we move closer to Christmas, our work continues. In the coming weeks, we are preparing to deliver toys to children in hospitals, ensuring that even those who cannot leave their hospital beds still feel the magic of the season. These efforts rely entirely on the generosity of our community, and we kindly ask for your continued support as we expand our holiday programming. Together, we can ensure that no child is forgotten during the holidays—and that even in the midst of hardship, there is still room for joy, celebration, and hope.
