The Latest News & Gratitude

Dear GoFundMe Donors,

Thank you so much for supporting Maksym Cherevatenko! It’s been over a year now since a GoFundMe account was put together by some great people wanting to help out.  Mike and Wendy Woodley – Alisa Butler, you guys have HUGE hearts for putting this together and giving Maksym so much support. Adding another teenager to our family is a great responsibility and we are so grateful to have the support of friends, coaches, neighbors etc. to give this young man a better life. Your kind donations were a huge help with costs such as immigration documents, health insurance, clothing, food, sports fees and equipment etc. It also helped with an important flight back home to Kharkiv, Ukraine to visit his family. Maksym was able to see his family in Ukraine for 3 weeks prior to coming back for school. His family has relocated to a safer area in Ukraine. They are quite tired of living like this and its breaks our hearts knowing how much they miss Max. Maksym’s mother communicates with us often through a google translation app. She always says how lucky she is as a mother to know her son is happy and safe.  

Maksym has been with us for roughly 1.5 years now and outside of missing his family, he is doing great here in Minnesota. His English has really improved and his school grades are excellent. Max is taking full advantage of being a school aged kid. Max is a Junior and will play High School Soccer, and Hockey. He might even attempt the golf team this spring as he is taking an interest. Max had his first job this past summer as a caddy at Minikahda Golf Club. Apparently, he is wanted back next summer because the members loved his work ethic.  

Maksym is here under a Temporary Protected Status because of war in his homeland. His status has been extended through April of 2025 which will allow him to graduate high school here in the US. He says that he would like to attend college after graduation. We will do everything we can to assure he gets this opportunity.

To everyone who took the time to learn about his story and donate, thank you! Both of our families are forever grateful!

Chad and Lisa Hess