In honor of his home country of Ukraine, store owner donates to Doctors Without Borders
Glimmering gemstones in blue and yellow highlight the decorative trees that will be sold at Karma and Luck, a Las Vegas-based jewelry company.
But all the sales of these sparkling trees will not go to owner Vladi Bergman’s pocket.
Rather, the Ukrainian business owner said he wants to instead give back to his country, struggling under the weight of a war with Russia, by donating the entire portion of tree sales to Doctors Without Borders.
Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières, is a French-based international humanitarian and medical organization that assists citizens in countries with conflict zones or endemic diseases.
“(As a) brand that is all about good karma and giving back, we see here the big responsibility to be involved in that matter and to help all the refugees who are having, right now, a hard time,” he said.
As of late last month, Doctors Without Borders had workers in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Russia and Belarus, according to its website. Staff deliver necessary medical supplies like surgical and trauma kits and conduct mass casualty training for local hospitals.
Each of Karma and Luck’s trees, between 5 and 6 inches tall and perched atop a glistening white crystal, retails for $99, and Bergman said he aims to sell all 1,000 that will be in stock soon.
The tree’s “leaves” are made from golden citrine and a deep cobalt lapis lazuli, the colors paying homage to his home country’s vibrant flag, he said.
The trees are Bergman’s second donation effort to Doctors Without Borders through the store. From March 13-19, the store gave a portion of its sales that totaled approximately $10,000, Bergman said.
“The goal is to donate as much as we possibly can,” he said. “The voluntary work that they’re doing there, it’s something that is really impressive in our eyes.”
Situated on the Ukraine-romania border, Bergman’s family is safe from the bombings in Kyiv and Kharkiv, where he was born and lived until he was 7, he said.
Bergman started Karma and Luck, which has eight locations in Las Vegas and one in Houston, in 2015. The trees will likely be available for purchase in the coming weeks, he said.
“I’m very connected to my origins,” he said. “(The war) was a big shock to everyone. … Unfortunately, I don’t see a resolution right now. It doesn’t look like it’s going to go anywhere.”