Door County Candle Co. raises $1M in donations for Ukraine

WISCONSIN -- A local Ukrainian-American candle shop owner made it her mission to send candles abroad to spread light and hope when war broke out in Ukraine. A year later, and she's successfully raised $1million.

Christiana Trapani owns Door County Candle Co., and she said her small initiative turned into a massive fundraising effort, sending a tin candle to Ukraine for every yellow and blue Ukraine candle purchased.

"I've been reflecting a lot because this is such a huge milestone, and I was thinking about last year when we started this fundraiser and how I thought $5,000 was honestly such a stretch," she said. "Knowing that we're at a million in this small little shop in Wisconsin, in Door County, it's so inspirational and it just motivates me."

It's all been possible thanks to donations from all over the country, including Hawaii and Alaska, and even Canada.

Trapani said it goes to show how a little can go a long way.

She's now hoping to top her milestone with a new $2-million goal.