Utah Jazz Foundation donates 32K nights of housing for Ukrainian refugees
Mar 9, 2022, 10:24 AM | Updated: 10:41 am
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz Foundation announced it is donating 32,200 nights of housing for Ukrainian refugees through Airbnb.org — a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping people share housing and resources with each other in times of crisis.
The donation comes as over 2 million refugees have fled Ukraine in the less than two weeks since Russia first invaded the country, including more than 1 million children, something UNICEF spokesperson James Elder called “a dark historical first.”
“Connection and community have never been more important than it is today. Millions of people have been forced to leave behind their entire lives in Ukraine. Airbnb.org is connecting host families with refugees in need, creating safe havens when so many communities are being torn apart,” said Ryan Smith, executive chairman and co-founder of Qualtrics and owner of the Utah Jazz. “The Utah Jazz Foundation is honored to partner with Airbnb.org to fund stays for refugees who have fled Ukraine – enough to fill every seat right here in our own house — Vivint Arena — nearly two times over. And we can’t stop there. I encourage every organization to support Airbnb.org’s important initiative, to magnify their impact and house enough refugees to fill their arenas or workplaces.”
Last week, Airbnb.org announced it is funding short-term housing for up to 100,000 people fleeing Ukraine. The company said it is partnering with nonprofits that check refugee guests for eligibility and assist them before, during and after their stays.
Donations provide a comfortable bed and basic amenities for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
“I cannot begin to express my thanks to the Utah Jazz Foundation for their support of Airbnb.org’s work. This incredible commitment will play a meaningful role in helping us meet our goal of providing free, temporary housing to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine – offering not only a roof over their heads, but also a safe place to gather and regroup,” said Joe Gebbia, Airbnb co-founder and chairman of Airbnb.org.
The Utah Jazz Foundation and https://t.co/PHsZ3zl4dB are partnering to provide over 32,200 nights of housing for refugees fleeing Ukraine, nearly double the capacity of our arena 💙💛#StandWithUkraine https://t.co/s7MTBofviV pic.twitter.com/bJ5yn2d4EB
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 9, 2022
The Utah Jazz Foundation encouraged Jazz fans to join them in this massive effort to help those fleeing Ukraine. You can learn more by clicking here.
On Wednesday, power was cut at the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine while Ukrainian officials say a Russian strike hit a children’s hospital and maternity facility in the besieged southeastern port city of Mariupol.
