BENTONVILLE, Ark. — A Bentonville nonprofit is working to bring joy to kids in Ukraine who are receiving care to help them overcome trauma from war.
In May, Hugs from Friends plans to pack up a huge shipment of Beanie Babies and artwork to give to Ukrainian children.
The initiative, 'Project 1,000 Hugs', all started when one generous community member donated a large collection of Beanie Babies to the nonprofit. Hugs from Friends then made it its mission to collect 1,000 of them along with 1,000 pieces of artwork to be delivered to kids in Ukraine.
Hugs from Friends works year-round to support families and kids affected by war in Ukraine, partnering with Ukrainian nonprofit Voices of Children.
Co-founder of Hugs from Friends Trevor Dane said Hugs from Friends chose the number 1,000 because Voices of Children regularly sees about 1,000 children at their centers in Ukraine, and the Beanie Babies and art will go to the kids in that program.
As Hugs from Friends is asking the community to pitch in by donating Beanie Babies and making artwork to be shipped to Ukraine, students in the area, including those at Arkansas Arts Academy, are leading the efforts by writing cards, making artwork and showing their support.
“It really creates a kid-to-kid exchange program, essentially, between the kids of Northwest Arkansas and the kids of Ukraine,” Dane said.
That’s something fifth grade social studies teacher Joseph Papania has seen the impact of firsthand as his class participates.
“They are up to speed watching Trevor’s videos and what's going on in the Ukraine,” Papania said. “They’re making these cards, ‘wishing you well,’ ‘wishing you luck,’ and they especially love going into Google translator to translate what they're saying into Ukrainian.”
Dane said the result is a powerful, two-way exchange of solidarity and support.
“I think one of the things that we didn't realize when we started this was the impact that it has on kids in the United States that create the artwork. They feel like they're empowered and involved in helping a child a long way away that are going through horrible situations, life-changing situations that they cannot imagine," said Dane.
Information about how to donate Beanie Babies, artwork, and funds for shipping can be found on Hugs from Friends’ website.
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