Update on Ukrainian Boutique Owner Who Left Her Country for Safety
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Bridal Shop Owner Seeking Donations for Ukrainian Refugees
Last week, I received an email from the shop where I bought my wedding dress in 2020. The shop owner lives in Odessa, Ukraine. On February 24th, early in the morning, she woke up to the sounds of explosions: Russia had begun its invasion. Her message indicated she left the country for safety.
The shop owner’s name is Irene. She has temporarily stopped selling bridal gowns on her Etsy store, Angellure. Irene is seeking donations to help her and other refugees.
I have received more information from her since my first article on this story. Irene and her son made it to Moldova. She told me she wants to help volunteers in Mariupol, which is located in the Odessa region. She is very concerned with the food situation there. People who are trapped in Mariupol are facing starvation, and drivers are risking their lives to deliver food and water. Medical supplies are also running out. The situation there is particularly bad.
Irene told me she was deeply disturbed that a Mariupol children’s hospital and maternity house were attacked. She describes the Russian army as “a bloodthirsty enemy.”
Irene has updated her Etsy store since my last post. She added the following message to the description of donation items:
All donations will be used to meet the needs of Ukrainian refugee women and children in Moldova, as well as the civilian population in the occupied cities of Odessa region (Mariupol, Kherson).
Thanks for your help and support. We [are] praying for our beloved homeland and people. Pray for Ukraine.
We will win because together we are strong.
— Irene
The bridal shop owner told me she wants to get back to work and to a sense of normalcy. She told me she feels…
