🏆 Gene Dewey Refugee Award 2025

Sunflowers for Solidarity

A Story of Solidarity That Crossed the Ocean

The Initiative

Sunflowers for Solidarity is a personal initiative created by Julie Nelson from the United States — a ceramic artist from Kiln, Mississippi, a retired registered nurse, and a person deeply moved by human suffering.

Touched by the situation of children affected by the war in Ukraine, Julie began creating handmade sunflowers and pins as symbols of solidarity, hope, and humanity.

She shared them with friends, family, and members of her community, directing the support she received to the work of Eleon Foundation in Poland.

For Julie, the sunflower is not only a symbol of Ukraine.
It is also a symbol of dignity, compassion, and the belief that even the initiative of one individual can make a real difference.

Support with a Human Face

Thanks to the Sunflowers for Solidarity initiative, Eleon Foundation received meaningful support for programs helping children from Ukraine — especially children with disabilities and their families.

This support became part of our ongoing activities, including the Christmas Project, as well as other initiatives that help children experience safety, acceptance, and joy despite difficult life circumstances.

Through these efforts, children and families who were forced to leave their homes because of war are able to find moments of stability, support, and community.

A Shared Effort

What we value most is not only the support itself, but also the human connection that grew around this initiative.

Julie showed genuine interest in the work of the Foundation, stayed in contact with our team, and shared the story of Eleon Foundation with others.

As a result, Sunflowers for Solidarity became a shared effort — a story of trust, solidarity, and mutual respect that brought people together across the ocean.