JULY 7 • 2022 | 23

A

fter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 
on Feb. 24, former University of 
Michigan student Dustin Ross 
spent a month trying to figure out how to 
help Ukrainians in need.
Most organizations, however, only want-
ed monetary donations. With a desire to 
find a way to help directly, Ross departed 
to eastern Europe to see the situation for 
himself.
He spent several weeks in Romania, 
Poland and Ukraine, speaking to refugees 
and learning how to construct an emer-
gency supply of food, hygiene, medical and 
other products into embattled territories — 
where some 40 million people are impacted 
by war.
Ross discovered an international network 
ready to help, and also how great a need 
there was in Ukraine for critical life-saving 
supplies. In a country with a destroyed and 

disrupted supply chain, even basic necessi-
ties like deodorant and feminine products 
were vital to secure.
To get involved directly, Ross launched 
Sunflower Network, a pending 501(c)(3) 
nonprofit that includes an ever-expanding 
network of people in the United States and 
abroad who channel critical supplies into 
Ukraine.
The network consists of 
many college-age students or 
recent graduates, including 
20-year-old University of 
Michigan student Eve Wasvary 
of Franklin who is currently 
completing internships in 
Tel Aviv and is affiliated with 
University of Michigan Hillel.
“I saw photos [of the network’s work] 
through a mutual friend,
” explains Wasvary, 
who just joined Sunflower Network and is 

now assisting with fundraising efforts. In 
these photos, she saw Ross handing off 
duffel bags full of medicine and basic 
needs to Ukrainians. Also delivered were 
water purification systems and civilian 
protective gear.
Inspired, she wanted to find a way to 
help. “They’re going directly to them,” she 
says of supplies. “Sunflower Network has 
an Amazon Wish List so you can directly 
buy goods.” This helps donors feel confi-
dent in where their donations are going, 
she explains.

THE PRIDE OF THE SUNFLOWER
As a symbol of Ukrainian national 
identity and pride, the sunflower holds 
deeper meaning than just a clever name 
for a network. With several Metro 
Detroit-based members, the work spans 
international waters and includes three 

continued on page 24

Eve 
Wasvary

OUR COMMUNITY

Not Forgotten

Sunflower Network is raising money to send life-saving drones, medical 
supplies and a fully equipped ambulance to Ukraine’s war-torn cities.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Members of the 
Sunflower Network are 
working on the ground 
in war-torn areas of 
Ukraine.

Supplies of 
all kinds are 
needed in this 
country that’s 
been ravaged 
by war.

