Furniture manufacturer KI donates Ukrainian-themed chairs to Door County Candle Company

STURGEON BAY - Door County Candle Company has been giving through its Ukrainian candle fundraiser for a year. On Friday, a Green Bay furniture manufacturer made sure they were on the receiving end of a donation.

KI presented 12 new chairs, manufactured with blue and yellow colors matching the Ukrainian flag, for workers at the candle shop to use.

“I’ve heard about Door County Candle’s mission to raise funds for war-torn Ukraine and decided to visit to learn more and support the effort with a candle purchase,” KI Plant Manager Stuart Kolb said in a news release. “I was truly moved by the efforts of the owner, workers and volunteers, and while there, I noticed they didn’t have enough chairs for when the workers and volunteers took breaks.”

The KI leadership team decided a simple chair donation wouldn't be enough to reward the company, which has raised more than $868,000 for emergency relief help in Ukraine by selling blue and yellow 16-ounce vanilla-scented Ukraine candles in the year since Russia invaded the county. The KI team opted to create chairs that were representative of the Ukrainian flag.

“We are so grateful for this amazing gift,” said Christiana Trapani, second generation Ukrainian-American and owner of Door County Candle Company. “Now, we not only have comfortable seating, but the flag-themed chairs are another reminder of why our mission is so important and the reason why we are doing it, to help those suffering in Ukraine.”

Door County Candle also is selling vanilla-scented, white and red Thank You Poland Candles and 5-ounce version of the Ukraine Candle, each of whose profits are donated to the nonprofit Razom for Ukraine. (Razom means together in English.)

Additionally, a vanilla-scented Hope Candle raises money for UNICEF to bolster earthquake emergency relief in Turkey and Syria. As of Feb. 25, more than $5,000 of its $10,000 goal had been raised.

In the Ukraine fundraiser, a year ago Trapani had initially hoped to raise $5,000, but now has set a $1 million goal.

“I’m amazed and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, not just locally, but from the kindness of people throughout America and from around the world,” Trapani said. “We are so grateful for this act of kindness from KI. It shows how much people care. These chairs are much appreciated and will provide a welcome respite for the team of workers and volunteers that put in long hours to make more candles.”

This year, Door County Candle plans to grow its philanthropy and fundraising initiatives over three categories.

This spring they will launch a new program to support Door County-based nonprofits. People will be able to nominate a nonprofit, with one being selected at random to back every three months.

The business will continue what's called its "in response to candles," which will focus on various worldwide events.

Finally, a fundraising platform is being developed that will allow qualifying organizations to sell Door County Candles and receive a portion of the proceeds of the sales to support their mission.

To order candles or for more information, visit the Door County Candle store, 5789 State 42, Sturgeon Bay; call 920-746-2125; or visit doorcountycandle.com or the "Door County Candle Company" Facebook page.

Contact Kevin Dittman at 920-431-8416 or kdittman@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: KI donates Ukrainian-themed chairs to Door County Candle Company