CLEVELAND, Ohio — There was a baggage claim bash at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Thursday.
People of all ages brought balloons, flowers, signs, and flags, most in blue and yellow. This welcoming committee was awaiting very special guests: 18 orphaned children from war-torn Ukraine.
"I can't imagine a better healing process for them," Rise in Love President Barbara Sternberg said. "They've lost so much. They are tragic losses."
Each child lost their mother, father, or both during the continuing war in their homeland. This trip to America is a three-week respite from the war zones.
Mike Livrishin's family is hosting two teen boys.
"This is a lot of dreams that they had for a very long time being able to come to reality," Livrishin said.
This welcome lays the groundwork for something these orphans of war haven't been able to do in years: Just be kids again.
"They've lost so much already," Sternberg said, "but we're just going to keep giving back to them as much as we can with support and love and all the nurturing we have from ever part of our hearts."