In August 2026, against the backdrop of renewed activity ahead of the new school year, retailer 'Epitsentr' launched a large-scale charitable initiative called 'Shelters under the wings of Angelatko'. The project aims to address a critical issue: the presence of protective structures in schools does not yet guarantee their suitability for children to stay in for long periods during air raids. The initiative encourages shoppers to turn ordinary school preparation into an act of social support.
Project mechanics: from purchase to help
The essence of the initiative lies in integrating charity into the everyday shopping process. As part of the 'School Fair', 'Epitsentr' stores have a special range of goods marked with the 'Angelatko Dobrykh Sprav' sticker. This category includes not only stationery items such as notebooks and pens, but also larger items: lamps, sports equipment, toys, laptops and other electronics.
By purchasing any item with this mark during August and September, customers automatically participate in fundraising. A certain amount from each such transaction is accumulated and directed to targeted funding for equipping school shelters. This makes charity accessible to everyone, without requiring additional donations beyond the cost of the purchase.
The reality of school shelters: figures and needs
According to data used in the development of the project, about 90% of Ukrainian schools are equipped with shelters. However, as experts and company representatives note, the presence of concrete walls does not solve the problem of quality of life during an alarm. In some regions of Ukraine, more than 70% of schools are forced to work mainly in a distance format precisely due to the unsuitability of shelters for a full-fledged educational process.
The deficit is felt in basic things: furniture, lighting, school supplies and even simple toys for psychological relief. Requests from communities and schools on the Blaho platform regularly record these needs. The state has fulfilled the task of providing physical protection, but the task of filling these spaces remains relevant and requires public support.
The philosophy of comfort: why it is important
Iryna Shinkarenko, Deputy Chairman of LLC 'Epitsentr K' in the field of communications, emphasizes that for modern Ukrainian children, a shelter has become part of everyday school life. During prolonged air raids, children spend several hours there. During this time, they continue to study, read, draw and communicate.
The goal of the initiative is to turn shelters from places of survival into spaces where a child can feel as comfortable as possible. 'Saw an Angelatko - do a good deed', the retailer urges. One purchase can stand for the light by which a child will read, or the desk at which he will do his homework. This is not just help, it is an investment in normalizing the educational process in wartime conditions.
