ALEXANDRIA, Va. — One Alexandria mother is doing all she can to make this holiday season jolly for families who've fled the war in Ukraine.
Originally from Ukraine herself, Maryna Suvorova first relied on social media to gather clothes to donate.
Suvorova said, "I decided that I would try to help other people because I could not help my family at the moment."
Eventually, this effort was expanded to help refugees in any way including pushing for an at-home bakery for a woman who fled Ukraine just a few months ago.
Bogdana Makuhova, 28, not only loves to bake cakes, but it's become her livelihood.
Makuhova said, "It's important for me that I can do something that makes someone happy, especially in this moment."
She said she was unsure if she'd have the sweet opportunity to bake professionally ever again.
When she fled Ukraine about four months ago, she left behind her entire family, including her five siblings who all serve in the army.
She said, "It's hard. It's more hard being in the distance than being near them."
And starting fresh in Springfield required help from host families and even strangers like – Maryna Suvorova.
Suvorova said, "They left behind everything they had. They left behind their friends, home and school – and it's not an easy adjustment."
Now, with Christmas right around the corner. Suvorova is looking to gather help for Santa to give children of refugees some extra attention this holiday season.
She said, "I asked moms of the kids to encourage their children to write a letter to Santa."
Her room is already filling up with gifts for Santa's sleigh.
"One boy asked for dinosaur eggs so I got him this."
To them, it's no surprise an ounce of kindness is a big reward.
At a time when finding hope is a present of its own, Makuhova said all she wants for Christmas is peace.
Anyone who wants to help and donate gifts for this Secret Santa project can email maryna.suvorova@hotmail.com.
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