I want to encourage other businesses to at least try and create some sort of fundraiser where people can donate, because as Laika Cheesecakes and Espresso discovered there are tens of thousands of people who really want to help but don't know where to send their money to, especially Ukrainian owned businesses, they don't have to donate their sales, but at least they can accept donations.

Anna Afanasieva

The hardest part was to convince them to [leave Ukraine], because everybody wanted to stay there, but I realized, it’s just not very safe at the moment.

Anna Afanasieva

Normally we open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Anna Afanasieva

We didn’t expect that much reaction from the American people.

Anna Afanasieva

We were really surprised to discover so many people were actually willing to help.

Anna Afanasieva

We obviously didn’t expect anything like that. I thought it might get a little bit busier than usual, but then suddenly, we get to the shop on Friday and there’s a line outside the door — around the whole block, basically.

Anna Afanasieva

It seemed like the whole city showed up.

Anna Afanasieva

This is the least we can do.

Anna Afanasieva

Until it’s actually happening to you, if it’s happening somewhere else, even in a neighboring city, you still don’t really — you can’t comprehend it.

Anna Afanasieva

The amount is increasing every day, we literally receive checks in the mailbox and even cash. People are sending cash from all over the states.

Anna Afanasieva

I’m really happy, first of all that they’re safe, and finally we were able to see each other. It’s been a long time.

Anna Afanasieva

It was really hard, i mean, it still is. But at least I know that now they’re safe.

Anna Afanasieva

I told her don't worry, it has to be the Ukrainian army doing military exercises, i was trying to calm her down because I didn't fully believe anything could really happen. It wasn't real.

Anna Afanasieva

Especially Ukrainian owned businesses, they don't have to donate their sales, but at least they can accept donations.

Anna Afanasieva

I was spending so much time baking, I was like I might as well start a bakery.

Anna Afanasieva

The idea to help came very naturally, what else could we do ? We are here, not in Ukraine where we can bear arms and go fight the Russians. But we can at least sell Laika Cheesecakes and make something good out of it.

Anna Afanasieva

It was so heartwarming. We never expected so many people. It felt like all of San Antonio showed up, we were so grateful that so many people cared.

Anna Afanasieva

There was still a line of people who had been waiting for four hours, and I would go out and apologize and tell them we sold out, but they would still stand in line just so they could come to our doors and donate, they weren't there for Laika Cheesecakes. They were really there to help.

Anna Afanasieva

I'm as close to Ukraine as I could be, almost everyone I love is there. It's where I was born, it's where I grew up, so this is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to me, i don't know how to put into words how much my heart is breaking. I'm detached from my life here in the US. Mentally, 100 % of me is in Ukraine.

Anna Afanasieva