Like many people across the world, Mariann Danko, of Coplay, has been moved by the Russian attacks in Ukraine, which have been ongoing since the war started Feb. 24.

“Watching the devastation in Ukraine unfold on the nightly news has my heart breaking for the poor Ukrainians, who are being forced to flee their homeland for safety, and I have been searching for the right ways to support them,” Danko said.

While searching, Danko decided to use her creative talents to create a fundraiser of her own. She created a design using the blue and yellow national colors of Ukraine, a peace symbol and a sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine.

She decided to put the design on a T-shirt and send the proceeds from the sale to support Ukrainian relief efforts.

Danko’s fundraiser, Peace for Ukraine - Tees for Peace, launched March 11 with a goal of raising $250. She has already exceeded that goal by raising more than $440, which will be donated to the International Rescue Committee.

The International Rescue Committee has reportedly been on the ground in Ukraine and Poland offering food, clothing, sleeping bags, cash and legal and psychological support.

The shirts are produced through Spring, formerly TeeSpring. The company is also donating to World Central Kitchen, so some of its profits are also going to Ukrainian refugees.

This is not the first time Danko used her artistic talents to help others. During the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, she started to do chalk designs in her driveway. Her first playful sidewalk creation was made on Easter Sunday of that year.

She noted one of the people who stopped by was a nurse working on the COVID-19 floor at St. Luke’s Hospital. This woman commented on how nice it was, and it helped spur her on to continue creating new pieces.

“My neighbors encouraged me to keep it up because it was cheerful,” Danko said.

Danko added she is still creating new designs weekly, nearly two years later. During the winter months, she does smaller pieces to post in her window.

Danko graduated from York Academy of Arts in 1982. She then worked as a graphic designer in advertising before transitioning to customer service for a local printer.

She has affectionately taken on the moniker the Chalk Charmer. Learn more about her art and efforts on The Chalk Charmer Facebook and Instagram pages.

“Discovering the chalk art has opened up a whole new world for my creativity, and it’s just what I needed,” she said.

The fundraiser is open ended, so the public can still order shirts. To order, go to thechalkcharmer.shopping/listing/peace-for-ukraine-tees-for-p?product=2.

For more information on the International Rescue Committee, visit rescue.org.