12.15.22
Door County Candle Company, a Ukrainian family-owned small business based in Wisconsin, have kicked-started a Tin Candles to Ukraine initiative.
When consumers purchase Door County’s Ukraine candle, Door County Candle will send a Tin Candle to 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Razom for Ukraine’s warehouse. Razom will then use its shipping and logistics to get those candles to Ukraine.
Consumers also have the option to buy a candle to send to Ukraine and include a heartwarming, uplifting message in the gift message option, making it a great gift for the holiday season.
Since the initiative, 2,000 blue and yellow candles, symbolic of Ukraine's national colors, are being sent to Ukraine, with more tins on the way.
‘An Outpouring of Support ‘
When news broke of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Door County Candle Company immediately sprang into action to help. With hopes of selling a few hundred of its Ukraine candles, the company surpassed all expectations selling over 20,000 Ukraine candles in just two weeks – more candles than it typically sells in an entire year.
Proceeds of the sales have been donated to Razom for Ukraine, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to building a prosperous Ukraine. To help meet demand, the company received an outpouring of support from neighbors and volunteers who helped clean, label and ship Ukraine candles all over the world.
The owner of Door County Candle, Christiana Trapani, a second-generation Ukrainian, created this new initiative to help provide light and hope for Ukrainians.
“A lot of Ukrainians are without electricity, light, heat and even water in some places,” said Christiana Trapani, owner of Door County Candle Company. “We created this initiative in partnership with Razom for Ukraine to provide some much-needed light and hope for Ukrainians during a long and difficult winter.”
Trapani is among Razom for Ukraine’s largest donors, having raised nearly $1 million, and counting,” according to Dora Chomiak, president, Razom for Ukraine.
“She embodies the essence of Razom, which means together, in Ukrainian,” said Chomiak. “Christiana has welcomed people from many generations and many communities to create a community of support for Ukraine. To create a space where people meet, plan and do.”