Many New Jersey residents are trying to help the people of Ukraine – especially those who have ties to the war-torn country. There is one small family-owned business in New jersey that is trying to help one bouquet at a time.
Work continues at Wow Bouquet in Fair Lawn, but the owners of the edible bouquet company say that they have their minds elsewhere.
“This morning my hometown was bombed,” says Diana Valishina.
Diana Valishina was born and raised in Ukraine. Her and her husband Tim’s two children were also born in Kyiv. Now United States citizens living in New Jersey, their extended family and close friends remain in Ukraine.
“It’s very difficult to see the pictures and videos from there, and you can’t help anyway,” Diana Valishina says.
The couple has found a way to help. They are donating a percentage of their daily proceeds to people in Ukraine.
“They need immediate help and need something right now,” says Tim Valishina. “The only thing that can get there now is money.”
They have been sending 10% of sales and extra donations from customers directly to a contact on the ground at the end of every workday. That person then goes to buy food, water and whatever else is needed at the moment.
“They can go to the store, buy necessities and have it right there and then,” says Tim Valishina.
The couple says that they will continue to do what they can, and that they hope that the war wraps up soon.
“We hope…that my country, my beautiful country will come back to life again and be greater and better than it was,” Diana Valishina says.