What started out as a small sunflower seed fundraiser from a kitchen table in Tullow County Carlow has just gone national in just under three weeks. Sow Now is a new initiative created to provide necessary support for the Ukraine Humanitarian Crises and helping Ukrainian families settle into the community. Sow Now want every Ukrainian to know that we stand with them through this devastating time. The aim of the campaign is to encourage everyone in the country to purchase sunflower seeds and plant them by the 19th of May, the Ukrainian Vyshyvanka day with 100% of the proceeds going to the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. You can purchase your seeds from your local Supervalu or Centra outlets from April 29th . Packs will be €5 each in the hopes of raising €500,000.
Sow Now began when Tetiana Pankiv (39) and her three daughters Sofia (16), Marta (15) and Yana (5) fled their beloved home Lviv in Western Ukraine, not knowing where to go. Arriving in Ireland, she was relieved to have gotten her children to safety but Tetiana like so many other Ukrainian Refugees suffered a huge sense of guilt and helplessness leaving those she loved most behind what she described as “hell on earth”. When an Irish family offered Tetiana and her daughters a home, they were so grateful but were left feeling helpless thinking about the family members and friends they had left behind – and this is how the idea Sow Now came about. With the help of Tetiana’s host and now beloved friend Jacqui Nabb and many other Irish entrepreneurs across the country Tetiana and Jacqui were able to set up the Sow Now Initiative, a sunflower seed fundraiser to support her fellow Ukrainian men, women, and children that she reluctantly left behind left behind through the work of the Irish Red Cross.
The Sunflower has become a worldwide symbol of solidarity and peace amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Sow Now wants sunflowers to bloom in every village, every home, and every business as a powerful symbol of our support, and as an invitation for sincere integration into our communities. They hope these flowers will be a small reminder of home and an assurance of safety and friendship.
The Sow Now initiative with the Irish Red Cross is for every Ukrainian man, woman, and child. Those who have been displaced through no fault of their own, those who are actively fighting for their freedom in their beloved homeland and those here in Ireland who simply feel helpless and traumatised by events in their home country and want to support fellow Ukrainians left behind by raising much needed funds for the Red Cross Crisis appeal. The money will be used to repair vital infrastructure, support health facilities with medicines and equipment, and support families with food and hygiene items.
Charlie Lamson, Head of fundraising with the Irish Red Cross has said; “This is an incredible initiative in support of the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal – and is another example of the profound empathy and support that people throughout Ireland have shown for the millions of Ukrainians whose lives have been so profoundly impacted by the ongoing conflict. The Irish Red Cross is proud to be a part of the International Red Cross Movement to be in a position to provide aid in Ukraine, the surrounding countries and here in Ireland.”
Sow Now is in need of volunteers to help fulfil the order of 100,000 sunflower seed packets on time. Sow Now need teams of 5 people to commit just 4 hrs of their time on April 23rd to help pack the 5grm packs of sunflower seeds in Tullow. “We are calling on all families, businesses, clubs, schools and anyone willing to lend a hand to come together to support the efforts of Sow Now to ensure everyone across the country can get their seeds in time for May 19th”, said Sow Now co-founder Jacqui Nabb.
Follow Sow Now:
Facebook: Sow Now
Instagram: @sownowireland
#SowNow