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About Hugs From Friends
Hugs From Friends started in Bentonville, Arkansas in 2022 to encourage children in the United States to create artwork to show support for Ukrainian children and families that have been impacted by the war. We partner with individuals, schools, businesses and community organizations across the United States. We send the artwork to schools, community organizations and humanitarian centers in Ukraine.
Where we have sent artwork
We have shipped 38 packages with 2,054 pieces of art, and 1,803 Beanie Babies to the Humanitarian Center in Przemysl, Poland and schools and community partners in Ukraine in the following regions: Kyiv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Lviv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Ivano-Frankivsk.
Rostyslav
Student
I am proud of you, because your support, mutual understanding, help, kind words, sincere open heart give us strength and faith for a happy future.
Anna Chapovska
School Director
We are very glad to have you with us. Now, more than ever, we need your support, because Ukraine has been at war for more than half a year. It took away our dreams, cheerful laughter, peaceful sleep, shot our spring and summer. The people of Ukraine have rallied even more to fight for freedom and independence, so your help is extremely important to them.
Ludmyla
Student
We love you, Americans, as our brothers and we thank you very much for your care and help. We are grateful that you are not standing aside during such a difficult time for us.
Bohdan Dmytrash
School Principal
Greetings from Gymnasium of Monastyrshany the Solotvyn Community Council, located in the picturesque region of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your warm letter, care and support! The package you sent brought immense joy to our children and teachers. The artwork created by the students of the Arkansas Academy of Arts has become a true source of inspiration. We deeply appreciate this gesture of kindness and feel the boundless power of goodwill.
Read Bohdan's full letter here.