Press Release, 6.02.2025

At the end of December, the central office of the Yabloko party hosted charity New Year matineess for the children of Ukrainian refugees – wards of the Civic Assistance Committee and the Dom s Mayakom charity foundation (Lighthouse Charity Foundation). This is the third series of events since 2022 that we have organised for children and adults forced to leave their homes, fleeing from missiles and bullets. We are summing up on the children’s New Year matinees and publishing a report on the funds raised for their organisation.

This year, 250 children attended several New Year matinees in Yabloko over the course of two days. The hall was decorated specially for children and an interactive programme was devised. Traditionally, the participants of the celebrations did face painting, chose a book as a gift, participated in master classes on painting gingerbread figures, creation of Christmas tree decorations and other New Year’s decorations, and also played with Father Frost, recited poems, made wishes and received sweet gifts.

The parents of our little guests at the matinees were not left without attention either. A buffet and rest areas were organised for adults. Also, at the end of the holiday, each family received a framed photo taken by our photographers in a specially decorated photo zone.

This time, a surprise for children and adults was their participation in the Baba Yaga Show, the role of Baba Yaga (a witch from Russian fairy tales) was played by Svetlana Gannushkina, Chair of the Civic Assistance Committee and a member of the Yabloko Federal Political Committee.

The children decorated a Christmas tree, up to the ceiling: they made dozens of doves of peace. These paper origami they also made during the matinees.

Yabloko expresses gratitude to all those without whom the holiday would not have been so heartfelt or would not have taken place at all:

– everyone who donated money to organise the matinees: each of your transfers, regardless of the amount, made an important contribution to the creation of the New Year events for children;

– everyone who bought new books or donated their favorite children’s books from their home libraries to refugee children: the children were forced to leave their homes and part with many things, and you helped them feel more confident and calm;

– the publishing house Belaya Vorona, which donated new colorful and interesting books for the children;

– Yabloko members and volunteers, the staff members of our office who spent a lot of effort to make the charity matinees a warm and safe event for children.

Thank you, friends!

This year, 383 donations totaling 783,673 roubles were received for the organisation of the matinees. Here is how these funds were spent:

Total funds received:                                                   RUR 783,673.00

Expenditure:

New Year gifts (chocolate sets and gift wrapping) RUR 208,000.00

Tea, coffee, and cookies                                              RUR  29,660.00

Expendables for master classes                                 RUR   82,800.00

Photo zone decoration, including Christmas trees RUR 152,320.00

Hall decoration (toys, garlands, etc.)                         RUR  39,000.00

Celebration expenses (face painting,

photographers, equipment, etc.)                               RUR 107,246.00

Photo printing (as a souvenir of the holiday)           RUR  29,733.00

Purchase of food sets                                                   RUR  28,871.00

Charitable gifts for children                                         RUR  99,932.00

Other expenses (transportation, etc.)                       RUR    5,111.00

Remainder 0.00

TOTAL EXPENSES:                                                         RUR 783,673.00

Watch our video report here: https://www.yabloko.ru/cat-news/2025/02/06