Edmonton couple raises $6,000 for Ukraine by designing, selling T-shirts

It’s been a week since Natalia Kostiuk and her partner Dylan Cliff started the “Stand with Ukraine Project.”

The couple from Edmonton decided they wanted to design and sell T-shirts to raise awareness about the war in Ukraine and to raise money for a Ukrainian charity.

“We just kind of felt helpless because we had so many connections there and we couldn’t do anything from this side of the world,” said Cliff. “So we were kind of trying to think of a way that we could channel this energy, this feeling of helplessness into something.”

The couple lived in Ukraine for one year before the war for work and travel. Kostiuk was a teacher who still has students, family and friends in the country. They say by starting this project, they’re able to pay it forward to the country they lived in and love.

“We’re asking $35 for a shirt and 100 per cent of the proceeds is going to an organization that we chose that supplies body armor, military aid and medical supplies to soldiers in Ukraine and also to families that have lost loved ones in the war,” said Kostiuk.

There are six designs to choose from. The first design was inspired by the bravery of Volodymyr Zelenskyy – and the couple’s personal connection to the Ukrainian president.

“We did live there last year and I was able to teach both of his kids. So it was more of a personal connection as well for me,” Kostiuk said.

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The couple set up a website and Instagram page for Edmontonians looking for a way to support.

“The community has been amazing. We’ve had a ton of support,” said Cliff. “We’ve already sold a ton of shirts, we’ve already raised quite a bit of money. And it keeps growing every day. We’re getting new orders coming in every day.

“We never really imagined that it would take off this fast.”

So far they’ve raised $6,000 and are looking forward to sending their first of many donations to Ukraine.