Wisconsin candle company sending light, warmth to Ukraine amid power outages as winter approaches

 

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- It's been about nine months since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, and as attacks continue in the battleground site, conditions have worsened. Many are currently facing hours-long power cuts during freezing temperatures and it's also taking a toll on Ukrainian residents in Wisconsin.

"It's been really scary hearing first-hand when she says to us, 'the bombs are getting closer, I'm scared to leave my house,' like, it's the most heartbreaking...I mean every time we talk to her, we just cry," said Christiana Trapani, a local Ukrainian American.

Trapani is also the owner of Door County Candles Co. She said she and her family are constantly concerned that her home country is not getting better.

"It’s not getting better and it's just, it's getting worse and it's just, it's horrible, and now with the power and winter coming it's just, it's, it's heart-wrenching.... what they are going through and what they're about to have to endure," she told CBS 58 News.

Air strikes last Wednesday caused the worst damage so far since the conflict began, leaving millions of people with no light, water or heat --even as temperatures fell below the freezing point.

Trapani said her new candle initiative is sending a tin candle to Ukraine for every blue and yellow Ukraine candle purchased.

"Candles can be such a luxury for, for us, but for them, it's a necessity right now," she said.

People have the option of purchasing a $15 candle to simply send to Ukraine or pay $29.95 to send and receive a candle.

Vasyl Ovod lives in the Milwaukee area and also has family in Ukraine. He said he moved to the U.S. about 17 years ago and met Trapani a few years ago. He said Trapani's idea is essentially a symbol of hope.

"Light always means like something, life, you know, it's warm, it's... you can see everything," Ovod said.