I have a love/hate relationship with Florida, my home. But I will happily host you here in Orlando if you come. A 10-minute drive to Disney, and the new, stunning, Universal attraction. But for now, I send money and love to friends in Ukraine. What you have had to endure, should never have happened. Slava Ukraini.
Dear Dan, someday everything will be a distant past that will make us stronger to celebrate our victory together in a big party that will have days of duration, and after receiving you in Kyiv, I'll be more than pleased to visit the central part of Florida and make a visit to you! Universal Studios is also a dream that I didn't mentioned to save my readers from too much information. Sending love to all Floridians! 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Well, Victor- I live in California and far from the Disneyland in Anaheim but if you find yourself in California-I live in Santa Cruz-near Monterey and you are welcome to the couch-we live about a block from the cliffs and the ocean!!
Perhaps when Ukraine 🇺🇦 wins you will venture to the United States!!
My dad and stepmom are in Boca Raton Florida and my brother and sister in law are in Del Ray Beach Florida. They are all with you and are against this batshit crazy administration. I visited them recently and while there we participated in the protest on 4/5 in Boca along with a couple thousand other Floridians. There were many signs in support of Ukraine. You are supported!!! I wanted to know the best organization for donating money to Ukraine so that it gets to those on the ground fighting. Thank you!
Dear Kim, thank you very very much for the support. Boca Raton is exactly the place where I chose a picture to illustrate the Florida Rally in my book "United We Stand", that I released last month to remember everyone that every single state of the US is with us. (the US is with US look how funny and beautiful). Maybe you can find yourself in the picture! About the organizations, take note that I am not associated or involved with no one, and even though I'm quite near the frontlines, I don't have enough information to endorse or recommend one or another. I'll try to search some more information about them. But there are a lot of wonderful people doing a wonderful job on these lands! 🇺🇦🇺🇸
https://u24.gov.ua/step-by-step This is where you can donate and 100 percent goes to which you choose. I have been using it since 2022 with no problems. I hope this helps and the only reason I reached out was to answer your question so I hope you don't mind.
On 5 May 2022, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the launch of the United24 initiative, the first component of which is an online platform to raise funds to support the state. Funds from international donors are accepted by United24. The funds raised are distributed in three areas: defense and demining, humanitarian and medical assistance, and reconstruction of Ukraine.
I hope Ukraine does not give up. I think the Ukrainian people are strong, smart and very courageous. You deserve your land, your freedom and your right to be free from any Russian rule.
Our family supports Ukraine. My son has asked us to donate the money we would spend on his birthday to Ukraine. We will gladly do this. May you find victory and peace soon. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦 ♥
Thank you dear Camille, giving up is never an option. Thanks for your awareness, your attention, and I send all my love to your family, in the name of us the 40 million of Ukrainians (probably a bit more than that if considered who have Ukrainian passports, but certainly much much more than that if considering Ukrainians by heart all around the world!) 🇺🇦🇺🇸
If I may say, Viktor, perhaps the biggest negative to making Florida part of Ukraine is that Florida is home to Mar-A-Liar-O. So when we Americans finally rid ourselves of President Zero, he’ll become your problem, not ours. I think Ukraine has suffered enough . . .
Haha you made me laugh again, dear Norm! President Zero, that's very appropriate for him! And we will be glad to have Zero as a problem: as you might know, we have a special place just north of our capital Kyiv called CHORNOBYL where no one can enter in certain parts, but we will take care to make this place his home (and we will bring some Russians to ensure he stands there in good company). 🇺🇦🇺🇸
If we were to trade Florida to Ukraine, they could seize mar a lago and his other Florida properties to pay for their reconstruction… and a trip to Disney world for every Ukrainian! 🇺🇦
From Bundanoon, New South Wales, Australia…we are a village..and reading your articles make me cry and smile ….and I always, always, tell those I love that I love them…whenever I see them or we talk or text….because life is uncertain…and we all need to know we are loved…
Dear Diane, you wouldn't realize how happy I get by seeing your message here. This is not a message exchanged through continents, but take note, I am writing from Ukraine, in a text about Florida, and you are in New South Wales, Australia, with the Southern Cross shining above your sky testifying our words, and we are talking about love and about humanity. That's beyond amazing, my friend. There's a part of my heart especially reserved for the land down under (where women glow and men plunder... can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder? you better run you better take cover) 🇺🇦🦘🇦🇺
My dear friend, thank you so very much! I am completely sure that the vast majority of humanity are composed by kind and great people, and our community here on Substack is just a proof of that! That doesn't mean to forget those who adopt evil on their souls, we can't be naive: they are absolutely around in great numbers, but we need to resist to take the whole by a tiny part!💙💛
Such a happy column. Thank you for thinking about us here in the US with such compassion and love. How wonderful it would be if you could visit!! Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
Thank you dear Margaret, this is nothing close to the love and the commitment of millions of Americans with supporting this distant and foreign land. Slava Spoluchenym Shtatam Ameriky! (glory to the United States of America) 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Look up Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It is just across the waterway from Mar-A-Lago, but the scene of two demonstrations of over 1,000 people. And each demonstration featured at least 4 huge Ukrainian flag, so large that it took 4 people to display it. I could not count the smaller flags, but I’m sure you could find a picture on Facebook. You are remembered in small towns you have never heard of. And larger demonstrations will happen May 3 and May 17. We are not backing down.
Apopka, the biggest lake in central Florida am I right? Imagine that Becky, once I spend a good time on Google Street View looking for views of the lake. Do people often go there for swimming? Is it safe to do so? (questioning because of alligators!) 🇺🇦🇺🇸🐊🐊
I certainly wouldn’t swim in Lake Apopka, at times there are more alligators than I can count! Sometimes you will see alligators eating other alligators! But if they are left alone, they would rather go about their day doing their gator things, and not bother with people. Unfortunately people give them food, or pester them, and they lose their natural fear of humans. That is when bad situations arise, which then often leads to their demise. But besides alligators, there is so much wildlife here. Various species of turtles, frogs, and snakes. Multitudes of birds - including water fowl like herons and cranes, and raptors like hawks and eagles. There are marsh rabbits, otters, and bobcats too! Beautiful wildflowers and butterflies. And I’m sure there are many other animals I have forgotten to list.
Bradenton is just by the Gulf of Mexico, right? Such a beautiful region, what a privilege to live there. Sending my love to you and to your area! And don't let no one rename the Gulf!!! 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Longwood is near Altamonte Springs, right? I promise I didn't see the map to tell you that! Actually, you wouldn't believe how crazy, I went a step further when "travelled" by the maps when in Central Florida: I imagined myself getting familiarized with the roads and the sights of interest so it would be easier when I finally get to visit Disney World and the attractions all around your area. 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Hi from Orlando! If you ever pass through the area and into Longwood, Big Tree Park is worth a brief stop. It is home to two old, giant bald cypress trees: The Senator, a 3,500 year old tree that was sadly burned down in 2012 (but you can still see the bottom of the trunk and lots of new life that has sprung up around it) and a 2,000 year old companion tree named Lady Liberty, which still stands tall. There is also a clone of The Senator, named The Phoenix.
It's a small park without much else, but a nice spot to stop, have a little walk, and read or meditate.
Despite Florida being a terrible place politically, there is still beauty here, and I hope you make it to The Sunshine State one day!
Since you google map your subscribers, try to find Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada. It’s very small and a river separates us from Maine, USA. I live just in front of the international bridge. You will see that from the smallest of towns or cities, Ukraine has undying support. I met a Ukrainian nurse at my ophthalmologist office in December. Ukraine is in a lot of people’s hearts, all over the world. God Bless you all. And forgive me for my lewd comment about the pope.
Dear Georgette, thank you for sharing your beautiful city, I just made a quick visit and it looks so beautiful and peaceful. Google has images of a September, so there are trees in the autumn colors just to make the lansdcape more amazing. And seeing the signs in French I realized how ignorant I was to think until now that Quebec was the only francophone province in Canada! J'envie moi salut au Nouvelle Brunswick! (improving my French is on the list to the times after war, and as you see, I need that very much) 🇨🇦🇺🇦
I can tell you from personal experience that there is a huge difference between the Florida Panhandle (where I was stationed for my last assignment in the Air Force and then for four more years as a pastor - Okaloosa and Walton counties) and other parts of Florida. The cities you mentioned are great places with fairly open minds.
I am almost halfway through your book and truly appreciate your insights. Blessings to you and your family and your country!
We are heading back to visit Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (my Aunt lives there) at the end of May. We stumbled upon a lovely Ukrainian community there and plan on going back!
I am so sorry that Trump is abandoning Ukraine and that makes me so angry! Thank you for sharing your feelings and reminding us how important hope is to surviving any crisis. I pray for a miracle: Putin is eliminated and new leadership ends the invasion and withdraws from Ukraine including Crimea. Hopefully the day will come when you can come to Walt Disney World and visit Epcot and the other parks as well. May you stay safe and healthy.
I have a love/hate relationship with Florida, my home. But I will happily host you here in Orlando if you come. A 10-minute drive to Disney, and the new, stunning, Universal attraction. But for now, I send money and love to friends in Ukraine. What you have had to endure, should never have happened. Slava Ukraini.
Dear Dan, someday everything will be a distant past that will make us stronger to celebrate our victory together in a big party that will have days of duration, and after receiving you in Kyiv, I'll be more than pleased to visit the central part of Florida and make a visit to you! Universal Studios is also a dream that I didn't mentioned to save my readers from too much information. Sending love to all Floridians! 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Lovely response, Viktor! So encouraging, and I hope your wishes come true! Thank you. Sending love-light to you and all of Ukraine.
Well, Victor- I live in California and far from the Disneyland in Anaheim but if you find yourself in California-I live in Santa Cruz-near Monterey and you are welcome to the couch-we live about a block from the cliffs and the ocean!!
Perhaps when Ukraine 🇺🇦 wins you will venture to the United States!!
You are doing good, Dan! Bless you!
My dad and stepmom are in Boca Raton Florida and my brother and sister in law are in Del Ray Beach Florida. They are all with you and are against this batshit crazy administration. I visited them recently and while there we participated in the protest on 4/5 in Boca along with a couple thousand other Floridians. There were many signs in support of Ukraine. You are supported!!! I wanted to know the best organization for donating money to Ukraine so that it gets to those on the ground fighting. Thank you!
Dear Kim, thank you very very much for the support. Boca Raton is exactly the place where I chose a picture to illustrate the Florida Rally in my book "United We Stand", that I released last month to remember everyone that every single state of the US is with us. (the US is with US look how funny and beautiful). Maybe you can find yourself in the picture! About the organizations, take note that I am not associated or involved with no one, and even though I'm quite near the frontlines, I don't have enough information to endorse or recommend one or another. I'll try to search some more information about them. But there are a lot of wonderful people doing a wonderful job on these lands! 🇺🇦🇺🇸
https://u24.gov.ua/step-by-step This is where you can donate and 100 percent goes to which you choose. I have been using it since 2022 with no problems. I hope this helps and the only reason I reached out was to answer your question so I hope you don't mind.
On 5 May 2022, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the launch of the United24 initiative, the first component of which is an online platform to raise funds to support the state. Funds from international donors are accepted by United24. The funds raised are distributed in three areas: defense and demining, humanitarian and medical assistance, and reconstruction of Ukraine.
Thank you so much for replying and for the information! I really appreciate it.🙏
Thank you, Kim and Tanis, for the important question and helpful response that we can all take note of.
Hello all. donate to Razom and to United24 monthly
It’s easy to do.
I hope Ukraine does not give up. I think the Ukrainian people are strong, smart and very courageous. You deserve your land, your freedom and your right to be free from any Russian rule.
Our family supports Ukraine. My son has asked us to donate the money we would spend on his birthday to Ukraine. We will gladly do this. May you find victory and peace soon. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦 ♥
Thank you dear Camille, giving up is never an option. Thanks for your awareness, your attention, and I send all my love to your family, in the name of us the 40 million of Ukrainians (probably a bit more than that if considered who have Ukrainian passports, but certainly much much more than that if considering Ukrainians by heart all around the world!) 🇺🇦🇺🇸
If I may say, Viktor, perhaps the biggest negative to making Florida part of Ukraine is that Florida is home to Mar-A-Liar-O. So when we Americans finally rid ourselves of President Zero, he’ll become your problem, not ours. I think Ukraine has suffered enough . . .
Haha you made me laugh again, dear Norm! President Zero, that's very appropriate for him! And we will be glad to have Zero as a problem: as you might know, we have a special place just north of our capital Kyiv called CHORNOBYL where no one can enter in certain parts, but we will take care to make this place his home (and we will bring some Russians to ensure he stands there in good company). 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Maybe President Zero and his Russian puppet master can share a dacha there!
There's a reason Zero rhymes with Nero, and you just made me realize that connection.
If we were to trade Florida to Ukraine, they could seize mar a lago and his other Florida properties to pay for their reconstruction… and a trip to Disney world for every Ukrainian! 🇺🇦
From berthoud Colorado!💛
That’s a fine idea, Ana.
From Bundanoon, New South Wales, Australia…we are a village..and reading your articles make me cry and smile ….and I always, always, tell those I love that I love them…whenever I see them or we talk or text….because life is uncertain…and we all need to know we are loved…
You , are loved Viktor….
Dear Diane, you wouldn't realize how happy I get by seeing your message here. This is not a message exchanged through continents, but take note, I am writing from Ukraine, in a text about Florida, and you are in New South Wales, Australia, with the Southern Cross shining above your sky testifying our words, and we are talking about love and about humanity. That's beyond amazing, my friend. There's a part of my heart especially reserved for the land down under (where women glow and men plunder... can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder? you better run you better take cover) 🇺🇦🦘🇦🇺
❤️😘🧓🏻
Be warned: we WILL make you eat Vegemite; and after the first shock you will probably be a fan: my British husband now is!
You know what I love about you??? It’s your love and unwavering loyalty to humanity. I appreciate your words so much. ❤️
My dear friend, thank you so very much! I am completely sure that the vast majority of humanity are composed by kind and great people, and our community here on Substack is just a proof of that! That doesn't mean to forget those who adopt evil on their souls, we can't be naive: they are absolutely around in great numbers, but we need to resist to take the whole by a tiny part!💙💛
And there are more of us than there are of them. We all should remember that! :)
Such a happy column. Thank you for thinking about us here in the US with such compassion and love. How wonderful it would be if you could visit!! Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
Thank you dear Margaret, this is nothing close to the love and the commitment of millions of Americans with supporting this distant and foreign land. Slava Spoluchenym Shtatam Ameriky! (glory to the United States of America) 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Look up Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It is just across the waterway from Mar-A-Lago, but the scene of two demonstrations of over 1,000 people. And each demonstration featured at least 4 huge Ukrainian flag, so large that it took 4 people to display it. I could not count the smaller flags, but I’m sure you could find a picture on Facebook. You are remembered in small towns you have never heard of. And larger demonstrations will happen May 3 and May 17. We are not backing down.
Brilliant, Viktor.
Thanks so much Janet! Not more brilliant that my lovely readers like you! 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Apopka,Fl here! 💙🐈💛
Apopka, the biggest lake in central Florida am I right? Imagine that Becky, once I spend a good time on Google Street View looking for views of the lake. Do people often go there for swimming? Is it safe to do so? (questioning because of alligators!) 🇺🇦🇺🇸🐊🐊
I certainly wouldn’t swim in Lake Apopka, at times there are more alligators than I can count! Sometimes you will see alligators eating other alligators! But if they are left alone, they would rather go about their day doing their gator things, and not bother with people. Unfortunately people give them food, or pester them, and they lose their natural fear of humans. That is when bad situations arise, which then often leads to their demise. But besides alligators, there is so much wildlife here. Various species of turtles, frogs, and snakes. Multitudes of birds - including water fowl like herons and cranes, and raptors like hawks and eagles. There are marsh rabbits, otters, and bobcats too! Beautiful wildflowers and butterflies. And I’m sure there are many other animals I have forgotten to list.
Bradenton FL here. 💜🌴☀️
Bradenton is just by the Gulf of Mexico, right? Such a beautiful region, what a privilege to live there. Sending my love to you and to your area! And don't let no one rename the Gulf!!! 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Yes, that’s exactly where it is. Paradise and blessed. Some of the prettiest beaches in the world. It’s always the Gulf of Mexico in my book. ;)
Longwood, Fl 🤟🏽✊🏽🇺🇦
Longwood is near Altamonte Springs, right? I promise I didn't see the map to tell you that! Actually, you wouldn't believe how crazy, I went a step further when "travelled" by the maps when in Central Florida: I imagined myself getting familiarized with the roads and the sights of interest so it would be easier when I finally get to visit Disney World and the attractions all around your area. 🇺🇦🇺🇸
It is near Altamonte Springs. You won’t be disappointed. Sending you protection and light for your journey 💛.
Hi from Orlando! If you ever pass through the area and into Longwood, Big Tree Park is worth a brief stop. It is home to two old, giant bald cypress trees: The Senator, a 3,500 year old tree that was sadly burned down in 2012 (but you can still see the bottom of the trunk and lots of new life that has sprung up around it) and a 2,000 year old companion tree named Lady Liberty, which still stands tall. There is also a clone of The Senator, named The Phoenix.
It's a small park without much else, but a nice spot to stop, have a little walk, and read or meditate.
Despite Florida being a terrible place politically, there is still beauty here, and I hope you make it to The Sunshine State one day!
Since you google map your subscribers, try to find Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada. It’s very small and a river separates us from Maine, USA. I live just in front of the international bridge. You will see that from the smallest of towns or cities, Ukraine has undying support. I met a Ukrainian nurse at my ophthalmologist office in December. Ukraine is in a lot of people’s hearts, all over the world. God Bless you all. And forgive me for my lewd comment about the pope.
Dear Georgette, thank you for sharing your beautiful city, I just made a quick visit and it looks so beautiful and peaceful. Google has images of a September, so there are trees in the autumn colors just to make the lansdcape more amazing. And seeing the signs in French I realized how ignorant I was to think until now that Quebec was the only francophone province in Canada! J'envie moi salut au Nouvelle Brunswick! (improving my French is on the list to the times after war, and as you see, I need that very much) 🇨🇦🇺🇦
From Geneva, IL. You keep writing, and I will keep reading, sharing and praying for Ukraine.
I can tell you from personal experience that there is a huge difference between the Florida Panhandle (where I was stationed for my last assignment in the Air Force and then for four more years as a pastor - Okaloosa and Walton counties) and other parts of Florida. The cities you mentioned are great places with fairly open minds.
I am almost halfway through your book and truly appreciate your insights. Blessings to you and your family and your country!
We are heading back to visit Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (my Aunt lives there) at the end of May. We stumbled upon a lovely Ukrainian community there and plan on going back!
I am so sorry that Trump is abandoning Ukraine and that makes me so angry! Thank you for sharing your feelings and reminding us how important hope is to surviving any crisis. I pray for a miracle: Putin is eliminated and new leadership ends the invasion and withdraws from Ukraine including Crimea. Hopefully the day will come when you can come to Walt Disney World and visit Epcot and the other parks as well. May you stay safe and healthy.