Galleria Dallas sold bouquets of sunflowers Thursday to raise money for UNICEF's mission in Ukraine. The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine.
"So many people want to give to Ukraine and give to the cause but they don't know how or if their money is going to a legitimate cause," said Holly Quartaro, fashion and lifestyle director at Galleria Dallas. "Galleria partnered with UNICEF so you know when you make this donation, it's going directly to Ukraine to those children to help them."
The money is going to UNICEF's Ukrainian Children's Rescue Program, which is helping kids who have been displaced by the invasion. UNICEF says about half of Ukraine's 7.5 million kids have forced from their home.
Among those selling sunflowers Thursday were Olympic figure skater Ashley Cain-Gribble, Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Chad West and Plano Mayor John Muns.
"The beauty of it is when you come, you receive these beautiful sunflowers and at the same time have an opportunity to donate to the Ukrainian children," Muns said.
"It sort of brings me back to high school days and junior high days when you'd hear about the bullies," West said. "I think that translates to how society is looking at this situation where you've got this aggressive, militaristic power that's exerting its force and invading a country that's just trying to survive."
Galleria's ice-skating rink was also holding a skate-session with donations going to UNICEF.
Quartero says Galleria Dallas on pace to reach its goal of $10,000 in donations by 3 p.m. Thursday. People can also donate online here.
Through the end of April, Galleria Dallas is displaying artwork by Volta Voloshin-Smith, an immigrant from Ukraine and Moldova who now lives in Dallas.
"Galleria Dallas is always looking for ways to give back to the community, but this was an opportunity to reach out on a more global scale to benefit people who really need it the most right now," Quartaro said.
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