Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash
Here is a good news story about folks helping Ukraine hosts in need. I’m producing it here in its entirety.
People Are Booking So Many Airbnbs in Ukraine–They Raise $2M for Hosts in Need, and Never Even Check-in
From March 2nd to March 3rd, people from around the world booked 61,000 nights in Ukrainian cities via Airbnb, likely not one ever planning to check-in, or reschedule.
It’s part of a creative social media campaign to channel funds into besieged cities where something like aid drops or supply trucks can’t reach, and it has seen $1.9 million raised for Ukrainians in just those 48 hours.
In the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, Volodymyr Bondarenko had 10 people book into his room in a single day. “This was surprising, it’s very supportive at the moment,” 36-year-old Bondarenko told CNN early Friday. “I told many of my relatives and friends that I plan to use this money to help our people who need it at this time.”
Airbnb has said it is offering temporary housing in neighboring countries to up to 100,000 Ukrainians who are fleeing. It’s also waiving guest and host fees in the country to support individuals donating.
“We are so humbled by the inspiring generosity of our community during this moment of crisis,” said Haven Thorn, a company spokesperson. He asked those willing to help by hosting Ukrainians or donating to their efforts to visit Airbnb’s website to find additional ways to support or information.
One way anyone can help is by opening their home to Ukrainian refugees as an Airbnb host, for which the company will cover you with Aircover, a one million dollar hosting insurance policy. Airbnb also partners with non-profits and charities to help contribute to the guests’ basic needs.
The hospitality service isn’t the only community-based service that is helping out. Etsy has decided to cancel the current balances owed to Etsy by all sellers in Ukraine, which includes listing fees, transaction fees, advertising fees, and more—a roughly $4 million relief package.
The good news here is people and businesses are working together to help those being brutalized by Putin and his army. Today’s JohnKu talks about the best sides of humankind. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Kindness by John W. Howell © 2022
It doesn’t take much,
To open your heart to others . . .
Think if you were they.
Fiction Favorites 
I’ve read about this wonderful way to contribute. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you, Lauren.
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Heartening to see people responding in this way. So much heartache…it’s hard to know what to do in response, but this is lovely.
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The heartache is real and you are right, Lori. It is hard to know what to do.
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Great story and a wonderful poem, John.
Happy Friday.
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Happy Friday , Dan and thank you. 😊
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I wish we would see more of these good news stories in the media. There are lots of kind-hearted people in the world. Great poem, John.
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Thank you, Joan. Sadly you have to hunt for the good news stories. But they are there. 😊
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Very creative way of helping.
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I thought so too.
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Such a wonderful story and poem, John. We needed this…thank you!
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I sure wish that bully would choke on a wishbone.
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That’s really uplifting and a very clever way of helping! Great poem, John!
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Thank you, Deborah. 😊
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Dar John
People do that here as well. And it’s great to see the solidarity. We were amazed how many people offered places to stay and even work for Ukrainian refugees in our surroundings.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and thanks for spreading this idea
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Our dear Master was just interviewed in a German radio programme about the symbolism of the colours of yellow and blue.
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I think the discussion of the symbolism of yellow and blue would make a great post for us all. Have your master get to work.😁
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Dear John,
we try to push him. The problem is that he is preparing our trip to the continent next week. He seems to be very busy organising appointments etc.
Actually, we would rather stay at home but we have to go. So we combine it with seeing friends in the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Germany.
All the best
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I’m sure you will all have a great time. 😊
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What creative ways to get funds to individuals. When the people in need are in your actual neighborhood, it’s relatively easy to figure out how to help, but helping someone on the other side of the world is more difficult. I hadn’t heard about either of these efforts, but both are to be commended.
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Elon Musk sent a truckload of his Starlight internet equipment so Ukraine could stay on line. He also offered a one on one fight with Putin to settle the war.
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That’s it! Bring back the duel!
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I like it. The Russians responded that Musk was too weak.
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The one who came up with this idea was brilliant. A simple way to give, really.
Beautifully shared, John.
Happy Friday to you!
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Happy Friday to you Dale. I though this was genius.😊
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It really is. Thank you!
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😊
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Beautiful story, John. I was totally unaware and now am much heartened. We could be in their shoes, dependent on the kindness of others. Thank you for sharing through story and haiku the power of love. 💗
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There is real power in love. I think Ukraine needs as much as it can get.
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What a wonderful way to help those people. As Joan said, I wish we’d see more of these stories in the media. Maybe it would encourage others to lend a hand. Have a great weekend, John!
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Thank you, Teri. Have a super weekend as well.
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I heard about that. Really ingenious way to help.
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Yes it was.
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What an ingenious way to get support directly to the people instead of through an organization. Thank you for sharing, John! Love the JohnKu. It makes me think of the saying, “but for the grace of God, there go I.”
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We may all be there before it’s over, Jan.
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I look forward to these posts all week because we’re bombarded with so many bad things, and I know I can count on you to find something good. This one is great. It’s extra nice to see companies stepping up to help. And what a clever way for people to contribute directly to the people. Thanks, John.
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I agree Staci. I is always good to hear about better things.
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The outpouring of care and support for the Ukrainian people has been truly gratifying to see. Maybe there’s hope for us, after all.
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If the Russian leadership could find a little charity maybe there is hope.
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We can only hope so . . .
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Kudos to the someone who thought of this way to contribute! and prayers for the Ukrainian people.
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I agree, Noelle. Thanks. 😁
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It’s good to hear about someone doing something positive, John. Thanks for sharing.
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It is, Tim. Thank you.
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Your last line sums it up beautifully, John! Amen to helping others — if for no other reason than that one day, we might have to be on the receiving end, right?
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I think so, Debbie. I just hope it is later not sooner.
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What a creative way to help! People are really coming together to help in so many ways. We needed a good story out of Ukraine after this week. And your words at the end! TGIF to you, John!
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Thank you Jo. It is hard to find good stories there.
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This is fantastic! There are so many wonderful schemes and people doing so much. Thanks for sharing this good news, John. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone 💕🙂🇺🇦
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Thank you, Harmony. Have a good weekend as well.
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It’s so nice to see something beautiful come out of something so ugly. Thank you for sharing, John.
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It is Mar. Thanks for your comment.
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Awesome news, John. I sent your post to my sons. They use Airbnbs here & abroad. 📚🎶Christine
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Thanks for sharing, Christine
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Hope a ‘turning point’ is near! Good post, John,,.
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Don’t we wish.
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What a clever way to help! I love how creative and caring people are 🙂
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I know right? Thanks, Denise.
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It’s heartening to know there are still some people in the world who recognize true injustice and evil when they see it, and take steps to help where they can. Thank you for sharing, John!! 😀
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Yes it is, Marcia.
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This is a great story, Sheriff. It speaks to what brings us together when the horrors threaten to tear us apart. Here here to all the “guests” who’ve made Ukraine their adopted home.
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I know, Marc. It’s a wonderful thing.
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Have a great weekend Boss
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You as well, Marc.
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Thank you for sharing this, John. ❤️
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Thank you, Marie.
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A wonderful share and a wonderful JohnKu today. It warms my heart to see how the world is rallying around Ukraine and its people.
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Thank you, Mae.
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Once in a while, we can still rally around a cause. They seem to be fewer and far between, but we got it right this time.
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😁
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Wonderful! And your JohnKu says it perfectly!
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😊
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A little light shines in a frightening darkness.
Thank you for this report, and a hopeful JohnKu!
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We must maintain hope. 😁
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Yes!
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