Cincinnati native helping family in Ukraine through Airbnb bookings
‘When all this hell is over, and we defeat this evil in the face of Putin, we are waiting for the whole world to visit!’
CINCINNATI (WXIX) - As the Russian invasion continues, one Cincinnati native is using Airbnb to send help overseas.
After watching footage of what is unfolding in Ukraine, Rebecca Worple, a Cincinnati native who now lives in Vermont, felt compelled to help.
“I feel very grateful for my life and just the security and safety that I have here, and then you turn on the news, and you see what’s happening over there, and you imagine what it feels like, you know, to have flee everything that you know,” Worple said.
Worple saw posts on social media about using Airbnb, a temporary rental company with an international presence, to directly donate to Ukrainian families. She found a rental profile she felt was legitimate and made a booking.
Others have since followed suit, writing positive reviews on the same rental page.
“I thought it was super creative, and the minute I saw it, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh this is such a brilliant idea,’” Worple said.
The host of the rental, a man named Anton, responded to Worple, thanking her for the support.
The two have now been writing back and forth, building a connection that stretches from the United States all the way to Kyiv.
“It serves as such a good message to the people that are in the Ukraine that we’re talking to, to remind them that they are loved, and that there’s a whole world that’s behind them and cheering them on,” Worple said.
Worple said her only hope is that the donations help Anton and others in Ukraine, even if only a little bit.
Anton and his wife told Worple they are still in Ukraine and are safe right now. They stated they are proud of their country and are grateful for the opportunities they have had there.
Anton sent a message to Worple that he asked her to share with FOX19 viewers:
“Dear Rebecca, good afternoon. Once again, we sincerely thank you for your help and concern for our Ukrainian people.
“If you pass on our words, then the only thing I would like to say to the whole world is that we are free people in our beautiful country! We love our country with all its strengths and weaknesses, primarily because we are free here! We breathe deeply. We develop the economy of our country. We have the opportunity to travel around the world and just be happy. Our people will never obey Putin’s dictatorship. We are not Russia! We are Ukraine. We are all nationalists here! Because we are a separate nation! I was born in Crimea. I grew up there. I love people there, but I never wanted to live in Russia. I am Ukrainian, and I will stay there!
“When all this hell is over, and we defeat this evil in the face of Putin, we are waiting for the whole world to visit! Let every person in the world see and get acquainted with our wonderful people, see our beautiful country.”
Better Business Bureau reps say if you plan to help someone in Ukraine through Airbnb, make sure the stays you are booking are from legitimate local hosts so that you do not fall victim to a scam.
Per the BBB, there is a website that lists all of the charities supporting Ukrainians.
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