УКР When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Cathy Palmer and Tim Lun from Northern California felt they couldn’t just stand by. Lifelong believers in freedom and democracy, they saw Ukraine’s struggle as part of a global fight against tyranny. Drawing inspiration from Cathy’s father, a World War II Marine, and Tim’s own experience serving in Afghanistan, the couple decided to act — first by creating and sharing patches and t-shirts to show solidarity, and later by committing to monthly donations to the Leleka Foundation.
Their support began by chance when they met Valentina, a Leleka volunteer, at the Belarusian Church in Brooklyn. What started as a simple exchange of patches turned into a lasting partnership. “We wanted to do something real,” Cathy says. “Donating to Leleka means helping save lives on the front lines — it’s something concrete.”
Deeply informed by their understanding of foreign affairs and love for democratic values, Cathy and Tim continue to stand with Ukraine when many have shifted attention elsewhere. “We can’t understand how people forget,” Cathy adds. “Standing with Ukraine is standing for freedom — for all of us.”
Leleka: Why are you supporting Leleka Foundation?
Cathy: It’s part of a belief in supporting allies and people who are fighting for freedom and democracy. That's always been very important to me. My dad served in World War II as a Marine, and I think it's just very, very important.
We were both living up in Northern California, and I've always followed national security and foreign policy a lot. I've always considered Putin to be a menace, not just to the US, but to Europe and all countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union.
When he invaded, of course, we had to stand with Ukraine because it was just so devastating and wrong. We feel very strongly about Ukraine being free and independent, and we're very proud of what the people of Ukraine have done. I was very upset with Obama when we didn't do anything about Crimea. Very, very upset about that. I thought it was wrong. So, I was very happy to see that at least Biden was working to support Ukraine. We think it's very important to do what we can, even if it's limited.
Tim: In 2014, we were receiving news about Putin's soft invasion of Crimea and his build-up of troops on the border. At that time, I was involved in helping friends get out of Afghanistan who had worked with us when I was there. I volunteered to go to Afghanistan twice to do counter-insurgency against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS. The friends we left behind were stuck there and on death lists, so Cathy and I helped them get to the United States.
So, I think the short version is that we are very interested in foreign affairs and politics, and how it affects not only American policy but the entire world. We know how valuable the freedom is that we have in the United States. We feel that this push to deprive people of their freedoms and put them under autocratic governments isn't just happening in Ukraine, but also here and in other places in Europe where the far-right is gaining more leverage. We'll fight it at every level.
Cathy: When the full-scale invasion happened in February of 2022, we were living in Northern California. We have a friend from Belarus, and she was a strong supporter of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya [the Belarusian opposition leader]. We were giving our friend moral support for that. So, when Putin invaded Ukraine, we very much wanted to do what we could.
Interviewer: Tell me more about the idea for the patches with F***K PUTIN.
Cathy: That was Tim`s idea. I'm not very creative, but Tim is. We wanted to do something. Our friend in Belarus has a small business making t-shirts, so Tim came up with the idea for t-shirts. Then, he's got another friend who runs a small business in San Francisco that makes gear—outdoor stuff, military-type stuff. Tim came up with the idea for the patches F***K PUTIN, and together we came up with the t-shirt. Our friend was able to make the t-shirts, and we got a lot for our friends and neighbors here and in New York. Tim's other friend had the patches made. I wear them everywhere, all the time.
Interviewer: Are you just producing and giving them to people, or are you fundraising by selling them?
Cathy: We're not raising money; we're giving them to people. We had donated money to different groups that were supporting Ukraine with food and aid. We came up with the patches and t-shirts really just to show our own support.
Fast forward to this May. We were back in New York City, in Brooklyn, and just walking down the street. Valentina was at the Belarusian Church on Atlantic Avenue, which is about four blocks from us, with a banner for handmade goods that were being sold, like dolls and things. I stopped first and bought some stuff. I had my patch on my jacket. I talked with Valentina, and then I went back home where Tim had more patches. We went back, and somebody took that picture you saw of us giving her the extra three patches we had.
After meeting her, Tim had stickers made, and we wanted to send some patches and stickers. We asked Valentina how we could do more and she told us about Leleka Foundation. Once we got on Leleka`s website, we saw how important the money is for the medical backpacks. So, we decided to donate $1,000 a month. That's what we're going to do because it feels like at least we can do something concrete, in addition to showing our support.
Tim: I tried to join up the military, but I'm too old.
Interviewer: So you mean you were going to join the International Legion?
Cathy: Yes, he wanted to join.
Tim: I was over 65, and they said no. I don't want some young kid getting his ass shot off trying to save me.
Cathy: Anything that we can do to support you guys, we want to do.
Interviewer: It's really outstanding and appealing to us. We always appreciate new supporters. Since it feels like so many Americans have "given up" on Ukraine. The attention has faded. What inspires you personally to keep going and support Ukraine?
Cathy: I don't understand how people can forget about Ukraine. American interests are very much aligned with Ukraine's interests. If Russia succeeds, it's succeeding not just because of Putin, but because of support from China, Iran, and now North Korea. To me, it is Example A of the dangers that Americans face from those actors. We see a world where the axis of evil is becoming triumphant.
I've never been to Ukraine, but I so admire the people of Ukraine and how they have stood up and what they're standing up for. I just don't understand how more Americans can't see on a sustained basis how important it is for us to support Ukraine. It's so clear to me.
Unfortunately, people just aren't focused on what's happening in Ukraine, or frankly, what's likely to happen in Taiwan. This idea that we have to think about "America First"...
We believe it's important to stand strong for American interests, and standing with Ukraine is standing strong for American interests.
