Bringing Books as Portals of Hope in Dark Times

Bookmobile Campaign

The children of Ukraine are growing up during a time of war, loss, and uncertainty. They are living in impossible times; many have been displaced from their homes, many have lost one or both parents, friends and family members, pets and loved ones. Many have experienced the trauma of violence directly.

But if you look for the helpers, you will see them everywhere - the teachers and librarians and caregivers who stay here every day to support these children, encouraging their creativity, offering comfort and safety, and refusing to let their futures wither. Vinok Libraries adds its support by filling school and library shelves with high quality books in English and Ukrainian, and putting books directly into kids' hands.

And now we're going mobile with a bookmobile! This campaign will allow us to expand our work to connect to children directly, offering a little bit of magic, an opportunity to share their own stories, and an invitation to select a book for their very own.

It is often said that books are portals - they connect us to a deeper understanding of the world around us, to ourselves, and to each other. They give us hope. And we will bring this hope to these bright faces.

Our vision is to provide Ukrainian youth with books in both English and Ukrainian languages, to prepare them for a hopeful, integrated future.

How Vinok Libraries Works

Our organization connects with teachers and librarians to assess needs, and then fulfills requests with books that are physically donated, or purchased through monetary donations and contributions from the company Matchbook Marketing.

Books are then shipped or delivered to the requesting schools and libraries.

The books can be for the youngest of children all the way up through young adult. By working directly with the teachers to assess the types of books requested, we can work on curating our inventory to make sure we're getting the right book to the right reader.

Get on the Bus! The StoryBus: a Bookmobile in Ukraine

We're going mobile! In the spring of 2026, we had the opportunity to make some of our deliveries in person, and realized how important it is not to just provide the books, but to show up and connect. So we are raising funds to outfit a sprinter van with shelves and books and JOY. The van will make tour stops to schools bringing book donations for the library shelves, but the van itself will be all about the kids. When the doors open, the children will be greeted with packed, bright shelves glowing with twinkle lights and colorful books. They will be invited to come in and select a book to keep for themselves. We will let them shop, and at "checkout" they will receive a bookmark and sticker and high praise about their particular selection.

And of course no tour stop would be complete without snacks and treats, music and activities. We will encourage the children to read new stories, but also to share their own. We will be there to honor their experiences and let them know how important and special their voice is.

The van art is a first concept sketch.

We're working with an incredible artist in Rivne, Ukraine to develop the final image. When we have it, we'll post a new, larger photo that's filled with color!

"They brought us books. And along with the books – They made us feel like we are not alone."

--Galina, Klever People Club, Bucha, Ukraine

Donation Levels and Budget: What can your donation accomplish?

$25: Puts a book in the hands of 5 children
$35: Houses our drivers for a night!
$50: Puts a book in the hands of 10 children
$100: Buys 5 folding chairs or puts a book in the hands of 20 children!
$150: Provides art supplies for an entire 2-week tour.
$200: Buys a roller trolley to help us store all our art supplies and book deliveries
$270: Buys tasty treats for the children for an entire 2-week tour
$325: Helps us outfit the interior! Sponsors the buildout of one of 32 shelves.
$430: Sponsors a school visit! Puts a book in the hand of every child, plus art supplies, treats, gas, lodging, and meals)
$500: Pays our artist to create the design for the van exterior
$1,000: Sponsors all art supplies and treats for the children for 2 full tours
$1500: Fills 10 shelves with books for the children
$2,250: Maintains the van for a year to keep us on the road!
$3,000: Fills 20 shelves with books for the children
$5,000: Sponsors Supplies for a 2-week tour! Puts a book in the hands of every child, covers art supplies and treats, and gas for the van.
$6,000: Fully sponsors a 2-week tour! Puts a book in the hands of every child for an entire 2-week tour, covers art supplies and treats, gas, plus lodging and meals for the volunteers.
$12,000: Purchases the van!

The Team

Matchbook Marketing is a marketing company that supports independent bookstores in the United States. Founded in 2014, Matchbook has created branding and logos, websites, graphic design, print and e-newsletters for hundreds of indie bookstores and the American Booksellers Association. The company wanted to connect its work to supporting children in Ukraine, and formed Vinok Libraries in late 2025, working with Hope and Action for non-profit status and oversight. Learn more at welovebooksellers.com.

Hope and Action's founding team of American volunteers began their journey assisting Ukrainian refugees with local and international partners. Today, they continue to support displaced people, refugees, domestic violence survivors, animals, and others at home and abroad through strategic and impactful partnerships. Hope and Action collaborates with other nonprofits and NGOs to run shelters, assist in evacuations, rebuild homes and infrastructure, rescue animals, and offer guidance. Learn more at hopeandactions.org.

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Bring the Power of Language and Story to Ukrainian Youth: Vinok Libraries

a partnership of Matchbook Marketing and Hope and Action