Southern California is the area of the United States that provided the first aid to Ukrainian refugees, particularly along the Tijuana and San Diego border. Therefore, this festival holds symbolic meaning and will be held annually starting in 2024.
This is a Ukrainian Thanksgiving festival that was held for the first time on November 23, 2024, in Southern California, Orange County. It was a significant event of appreciation from Ukrainians to the United States and Americans for their immense help at the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
DYAKU.U
THANK.U
attenders of different nationalities who support Ukraine were by the "DYAKU.U" festival at SoCal
700
14,000
5
80
40
dollars was raised for the "UNBROKEN GEN" project
churches united in support, organization and prayers at the "DYAKU.U" festival
volunteers participated in help to organize the festival
businesses and vendors joined and donate to the "UNBROKEN GEN" project
The DYAKU.U festival was organized by the charitable organization "Heartbeat with AP". The founder of the organization, Anastasiya Polo, who is also a co-founder of the "United with Ukraine" movement that helps Ukrainian refugees on the Mexico-U.S. border, initiated this important event.
The festival became a vibrant gathering for over 700 participants, not only Ukrainians but also people from other nationalities, including Americans, Russian-speaking individuals, and Jews. All of them came together to express their gratitude to the United States for supporting Ukrainian refugees, as well as for the extensive work done in the U.S. to help Ukrainians adapt over the past three years. Anastasia Polo and the "Heartbeat" team believe that Thanksgiving in the U.S. is the perfect moment for such an event.
All funds raised during the festival will be directed toward the development of the "Unbroken Gen" project, which aims to support Ukraine’s recovery through work with talented children who have suffered due to the war. The project is focused on supporting the future generation that has endured difficult times and helping with their rehabilitation and development.