Natalie Mettler was looking forward to her Spring vacation from school with the typical eagerness of a 12-year-old. But she was also concerned. Her parents had shared some of the news of the devastation and desperate conditions in Ukraine. Many people that she knew seemed unfazed or didn’t know how to help.
"I kept hearing people say things like, 'Aw, that is so unfortunate,' or 'Oh what a shame' but no one was actually doing anything," Natalie said. "That’s when I decided that I needed to do something."
Natalie wrote and designed a flyer in the colors of the Ukrainian flag to distribute to her neighbors: “I am selling baked goods door to door to help the people of Ukraine that are struggling and have nowhere to go. It is very important we do all we can to help them in any way possible. All money raised will go directly to purchase most needed supplies through Episcopal Relief & Development. Their mission is to help human suffering.” She then set out along her street distributing the flyer in mailboxes.
Natalie decided to make chocolate chip cookies, brownies and Rice Krispies treats, and she sprung into action, shopping for the ingredients, mixing, baking and bagging her treats, tying them with blue and yellow ribbons. As her day of preparation came to an end Natalie went to bed tired but hopeful that the fruits of her labor would be abundant the following day.
On Sunday morning Natalie arrived early to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church — where her father serves as the Interim Priest — and set up a table in the fellowship hall. During the worship service she shared with the congregation why she was moved to take action and invited all in attendance to join her in making a difference by visiting her table during the coffee hour.
Many church members bought Natalie's baked goods, and when it was time to leave she was excited to see $117 in her collection box. Then came the text message.
A church member who had watched the church’s live stream wrote, "Please let Natalie know that we have made a donation of $100 to Episcopal Relief & Development for the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund as a result of her appeal today. My company [also] has a matching program" that would double the gift. "Please thank Natalie for doing this and speaking so beautifully."
"I was blown away by that and how much the people of St. Stephen’s responded," Natalie later said. "And we hadn’t even gone out into my neighborhood yet."
That afternoon was cold, with a temperature in the low 40s, but Natalie was so eager to go out upon arriving home that she skipped lunch saying, "I had a bagel at coffee hour. That’s enough."
Natalie received warm welcomes in her neighborhood. Neighbors complimented her on her initiative and compassion. "I can’t eat any of your baked items, but I want you to have this," one woman said, handing Natalie an envelope. Inside was $50.
"I thought I would be the one thanking people for their generosity," Natalie said. "But I was really surprised by how many people thanked me for doing this.
I met so many amazing people on this journey."
At last, Natalie sat down at her kitchen table and began to tally what she had raised, feeling grateful for the outpouring of support her project had received and remembering all the unexpected encouragement she had gotten throughout the day. The final total stunned Natalie—$642.50!
"While I was baking I thought it would be great if I could raise $200," Natalie remembered. "This weekend just showed me that if you feel strongly about something that is happening, do something to make a difference. You never know what will come out of it."
You may donate to Episcopal Relief and Development's Humanitarian Response to Ukraine here