Operation Santa: A Holiday of Hope for Ukraine’s Orphaned Children
In a time when war continues to disrupt lives and steal childhoods across Ukraine, Bird of Light Foundation brought a little magic back through Operation Santa. In partnership with Children of Heroes Foundation, The World Orphan Fund, Fashion 4 Ukraine, Brooklyn New Wave Ukrainian School, Veselka NYC, The World of Giving, and Heroes of Children, we helped make the dreams of hundreds of children come true.
This past winter, we answered heartfelt letters to Santa from 334 children who had lost one or both parents to war. These weren’t just wish lists—they were calls for comfort, hope, and support. Thanks to your generosity, we fulfilled these wishes with toys, warm clothes, and 83 new tablets, helping children from low-income families reconnect with school and education. One mother told us her daughter had been unable to attend classes for months—until Operation Santa gave her the means to return.
Dreams Fulfilled: Veronika’s Story
Among the letters was one from 15-year-old Veronika, whose father died defending Ukraine. Living in a small rented apartment with three younger siblings and a mother on maternity leave, Veronika asked Santa for a washing machine to help ease her mother’s burden—and quietly wished for an iPhone. When her letter reached families from Brooklyn’s Nova Khvylka School, they did more than answer—they gave abundantly. Veronika received both the washing machine and the phone. It was a moment of pure, tearful joy.
Beyond Presents: A Container of Kindness
Operation Santa didn’t stop there. Together, we sent a 40-foot container, now being distributed across Ukraine, filled with donated clothing, toys, school supplies, and essentials—offering warmth and relief to over 1,500 children.
This initiative was more than a seasonal act of kindness—it was a testament to resilience, compassion, and the power of community. In the face of grief and loss, we gave children a reason to believe again.
From all of us at Bird of Light, thank you for standing with Ukraine’s children. Together, we’ve lit a candle of joy in a dark time.
Let’s keep the light burning.
