Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell
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

By

Andy Corbley

–

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.

74 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  8. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. 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
        🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  9. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. 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. 💗

    Liked by 2 people

  12. 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!

    Liked by 2 people

  14. 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.”

    Liked by 2 people

  15. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. 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?

    Liked by 2 people

  26. 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!! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  27. 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.

    Like

  30. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.