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A Santa Barbara based non-profit brings holiday spirit to those impacted by the war in Ukraine

The Children's Cancer Center in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, received one of the Christmas tress gifted by World Dance For Humanity in Santa Barbara
World Dance For Humanity
The Children's Cancer Center in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, received one of the Christmas tress gifted by World Dance For Humanity in Santa Barbara

World Dance for Humanity is giving Christmas trees to refugee centers and hospitals there.

A Christmas tree being decorated at the Children’s Cancer Center in Mykolaiv, Ukraine is one of around 15 donated so far by World Dance for Humanity in Santa Barbara. The non-profit has been fund-raising to help those impacted by the war there since it began.

"We were focusing on food and solar lamps and warm blankets. But they said what we all really need is a Christmas tree," said Janet Reineck, Executive Director of World Dance for Humanity.

She says the Christmas trees mean a lot to those impacted by the war there.

"It's much more than the American Christmas tree. It's a beacon of light in the middle of winter now in the middle of war. The ornaments that go on the tree represent people's wishes for the new year. And it is really a symbol of light and hope," she said.

The trees cost around $100, said Reineck, and she's hoping more can be delivered in time for Christmas.

Caroline joined KCLU in October 2020. She won LA Press Club's Audio Journalist of the Year Award in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Since joining the station she's won 10 Golden Mike Awards, 6 Los Angeles Press Club Awards, 2 National Arts & Entertainment Awards and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Writing.

She started her broadcasting career in the UK, in both radio and television for BBC News, 95.8 Capital FM and Sky News and was awarded the Prince Philip Medal for her services to radio and journalism in 2007.

She has lived in California for eleven years and is both an American and British citizen - and a very proud mom to her daughter, Elsie.