Local Aide for Ukraine Refugees Grows, Others Invited to Help.
May 27, 2022 08:54AM ● By Scott Riedl
Scott Struthers, co-founder of Sonance, and Sparky Longley from Rainbow Sandals listen to Alex and Uliana tell their story of a harrowing escape from Mariopul through interpreter Mila Birtcher
by Scott Riedl
The dire effects of the war in Ukraine continue to mount. The humanitarian crisis worsens daily as shortages in water, food, wound-care kits, and medicine take their toll. Sonance Foundation, Rainbow® Sandals, and local donors aim to give $1,000,000 to address food and medical supplies shortages in Ukraine. Both Rainbow Sandals and Sonance Foundation are committed to making the world a better place and have collaborated in the past.
Through several initiatives, $450,000 has been raised to date.
Rainbow® Sandals, Sonance Foundation and an anonymous donor have given $150,000 (total) providing medical supplies for those in need through Hoag Hospital ($100,000) and Direct Relief ($50,000). Sonance Foundation and Rainbow® Sandals have also sent $50,000 each ($100,000 total) to a food distribution network in Ukraine coordinated by Mariners Church.
Upon reporting back on the success of this mission and meeting some of the individuals who lost their homes, Sonance Foundation has given an additional $100,000 to help with urgent needs in Ukraine through an organization called Crossing Boundaries. $25k will go to helping with abandoned pets, $25k for food distribution, and the last $50k supporting distribution centers in Kyiv and Mariupol supporting frontline villages and cities with immediate needs that are being requested on a day-to-day basis.
Sonance’s extended family of employees and customers were also encouraged to help. A $50,000 matching program was created to support UNICEF to aid Ukrainian children and IFAW in caring for abandoned pets in the area. Within a week, Sonance met its goal of $50,000, and the Sonance Foundation matched, totaling another $100,000.
“We are excited to have already raised $450,000 towards our goal of $1,000,000. We are asking for additional support from the San Clemente community, businesses, and residents to help us reach our target. All donations go directly to the needs in Ukraine, with 100% of the overhead covered,” states Scott Struthers, Co-Founder of Sonance.
About Sonance Foundation
The Sonance Foundation is a San Clemente-based non-profit organization founded in 2018 with a focus on three key pillars: Education, The Environment, and Assisting Those in Need. While the foundation has a special focus on San Clemente, California, it supports and partners with national organizations to provide donations, volunteer opportunities, and grants numerous educational scholarships to graduating HS seniors. Through our commitment to giving back, the Sonance Foundation believes it is making important contributions toward making the world a better place.
About Rainbow® Sandals Foundation
The Rainbow® Sandals Foundation works to improve and enhance the lives of people in need. This includes, but is not limited to, low-income, homeless, orphans, victims of natural disaster, military, veterans, refugees, and the disabled.
To answer the call for help, go online to https://sonancefoundation.org to donate, or contact Scott Riedl (949)-322-5517 with any questions. All donations are tax deductible.
