Vera: Glory to Ukraine!
Vera Lyalko is an award-winning programmer and senior software developer at Bixal, recognized for her outstanding contributions to the tech industry, including receiving the prestigious ‘2016 DCFemTech Power Women Programmers & Designers’ award. As the founder of the ‘Help Citizens of Ukraine’ fund, Vera has dedicated herself to providing vital humanitarian aid to Ukraine. She has raised over $100,000 for various initiatives, including medical supplies and support for displaced civilians and frontline hospitals. Through her unwavering efforts, Vera has made a profound impact on countless lives, continuing to bring hope and assistance to those in need.
My name is Vera. I was born and raised in Kyiv, but for over 26 years now, Baltimore has been my home. In Ukrainian, February is called Lyutyi, meaning fierce or cruel. On February 24, 2022, this winter month lived up to its name, bringing terror, devastation, and unimaginable loss. Since that day, my heart has beaten in unison with Ukraine. I have dedicated myself to helping the people of Ukraine in any way I can through Russia’s full-scale invasion of my homeland.
When the war began, I joined anti-war rallies and immediately began raising funds to support those in need. In early March 2022, I created my first fundraiser on Spotfund, calling it “Help Citizens of Ukraine”. I wanted to channel my grief and anger into something constructive - something that could make a real difference in the lives of those who were suffering the most.
My connection to Peter, a Ukrainian volunteer, began in 2014 when I started following him on Facebook after Russia occupied Crimea. I admired how he cut through the fog of propaganda, separating fact from fiction with clarity and precision. His posts inspired me, though I rarely interacted with them at the time. Fast forward to February 2022, when the full-scale invasion began. Like so many others, I was devastated. It felt as though my home was under attack, and I was paralyzed, unsure how to help. Once again, Peter’s posts became a guiding light. Now working with the Territorial Defense Volunteer Forces of Ukraine—a group dedicated to protecting civilians, securing property, and identifying enemy spies—he showed incredible resolve and purpose.
Moved by his efforts, I knew I had to take action. I reached out to support Peter’s mission financially, but it quickly became clear that more could be done. Determined to make a larger impact, I launched a fundraiser initially called Help Territorial Defense Forces and later renamed Help Citizens of Ukraine, the initiative aimed to raise money for whatever resources Peter and his team needed most. Through this effort, I had the privilege of connecting with Vladislav Malashenko, the founder of Good Bread from Good People, a Kyiv-based bakery that provided tens of thousands of free loaves to those in need. Vladislav’s mission—offering freshly baked bread to those suffering amid the war—deeply resonated with me.
What made the bakery even more inspiring was its volunteers, many of whom were people with disabilities. Despite their own challenges, they were unwavering in their dedication to helping others. Motivated by their spirit, I leveraged my network to raise funds in support of the bakery’s operations. These efforts included securing a generator to ensure the bakery could continue running during power outages, made possible by a generous donation from the Odesa Baltimore Sister City Organization.
The Drones: A lifesaving Initiative
Around the same time, a friend of mine, Nadya, suggested that we raise funds to acquire a drone equipped with a night vision camera to locate survivors trapped under the rubble of bombed buildings. This idea felt both urgent and critical, so I immediately launched a fundraising effort. The logistics of purchasing a thermal drone and shipping it to Ukraine during the early days of the war were incredibly challenging, but I was determined to make it happen. Thanks to the support of my friends, local Facebook groups, and several organizations, we managed to not only fundraise but also successfully deliver three drones to Ukraine. These drones, equipped with thermal cameras, are being used by the rescue teams
assisting firefighters in their operations. One of the most impactful stories came from Max, a drone expert in Kyiv. A missile strike had hit an apartment building, and the rescuers initially assumed it was empty. But a soldier heard someone crying from the rubble, and the drone was deployed to investigate. The heat signatures from the thermal camera led rescuers to a mother and her child, both trapped beneath the debris. The mother was unconscious and injured, while her child was awake, bewildered, and trying to understand what was happening. Thanks to the drone, both were rescued and received urgent medical care. Over the first four-month period of using our drone, it helped save 87 people, including
those in the hardest-hit regions such as Kherson, Sumy, and Donetsk. The drones have become indispensable tools for search and rescue, saving lives every day. I hope that years later these drones will still be helping people.
Roads of Kindness
Another critical connection I made in this journey was with Victoria Rizhikova and her charity, “Roads of Kindness”, which provides vital support to civilians affected by the war. The organization supplies medical and surgical supplies to frontline and civilian hospitals, aids the elderly, and supports displaced people who have lost everything, including orphanages. Her spectrum of help is endless. Victoria’s unwavering dedication
to help others has inspired me, and I continue to support her work through my fundraising efforts. We have been working with Victoria for almost three years now, and I cannot even imagine how many lives have been touched by our joint efforts. I am about to send shipment #18 to Ukraine. And we’re not about to stop. With the help of my network, we’ve shipped over 36,000 pounds of medical supplies and raised over $100,000 for various initiatives. This has allowed us to do individual food and medical supplies deliveries to people who were unable to get help otherwise,
especially first days of heavy bombing and nothing working, purchase drones, medical supplies, tourniquets, used ambulances, ambulance repairs, generators, and even basic necessities like hand warmers and power banks. Every donation has made a difference, from providing crucial supplies to frontline volunteers to aiding civilians in need.
The combined efforts of friends, family, and countless strangers have shown that even in the face of overwhelming devastation, small acts of kindness can create a significant impact. This mission is not just about sending supplies; it’s about sending hope. Every donation and act of kindness becomes a lifeline for those who need it most. With your support, we are making a difference and showing the people of Ukraine they are not alone. Together, we can continue this vital work for as long as the need remains.
WAYS TO HELP
PayPal: vlyalko@hotmail.com (Please leave a note: “Help Ukraine”)
Glory to Ukraine!
