A Bay Area dispensary is raising funds to help assist those in Ukraine, as its founder and CEO has a special connection to the country – he was born there.
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Misha Breyburg, born in Odesa, Ukraine, founder and CEO of MediThrive in the Mission District in San Francisco, knew he had to do something when the conflict broke out in his home country but wasn't sure at first how to help.
"Obviously seeing what I was seeing on news in the media, hearing what I was hearing, watching my poor parents, I felt deeply that I wanted to do something and that if I was there, I would probably be picking up arms to protect myself and my family," said Breyburg.
But since he couldn't do that, a different idea came to mind. Instead, Breyburg's store donated all of the proceeds from in-store and online sales from Sunday, March 6, to aid Ukraine.
After thoughtful consideration, and discussion amongst his partners and brands on board with the plan, the proceeds are going to be donated to a nonprofit, Sunflower of Peace, which specifically provides medical supplies and resources to the professionals treating the wounded and the sick in the conflict.
And the effort was a success. In total, they raised money somewhere in "the high five figures," said Breyburg.
The response from his partners, and the brands that agreed to have their products be apart of the event, blew him away.
"I was in awe because when do you get so many people to have to agree on anything," said Breyburg. "It was a moment in time, and I felt that much more empowered about it."
Although it’s been a long time since Breyburg and his family lived in Ukraine, Breyburg returned for his 30th birthday to retrace their migration in 1978.
"I guess that's why it's so emotional," he said. "Even though we don't have direct family there anymore, we are from Odessa and that's a huge part of it."
The dispensary will continue its fundraising efforts throughout the week, through Sunday, March 13, donating 10 percent of its proceeds.
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