**Update April 30, 2023 - Recently published in ALXNow**
Alexandria, Virginia, April 28, 2023 – The Critical Mass LLC, a leading security and consulting firm, is pleased to announce their successful fundraising campaign exceeding the goal of $4,500 in support of partners at Razom for Ukraine. Razom is a leading non-profit dedicated to amplifying voices in Ukraine and directly supporting needs of communities and individuals impacted by the current conflict. This is following a successful campaign from 2022 when The Critical Mass (TCM) and partners raised over $4,000.
TCM partnered with Made In ALX, Lost Boy Cider, and the local Ukrainian-American community in Northern Virginia led by Ms. Stephanie Cheeseman aka "Pysanky Steph," to sell over 90 hand painted Ukrainian pysanky eggs. Ms. Cheeseman was featured in a Washington Post article in March 2022 and led a contingent of artists who donated over 120 eggs in 2022 and 2023. Pysanky (pronounced PIH-san-kih - singular form is pysanka) are Ukrainian Easter eggs, elaborately decorated. The art has been passed down through generations of Ukrainians and are traditionally made during Lent to be given as gifts to friends and family.
The limited edition eggs are sold out for 2023. Please sign up on Made In ALX's newsletter to be the first to learn about the 2024 release!
Still interested in supporting Razom for Ukraine or helping TCM and partners exceed their goal? You can donate directly to Razom or help TCM's ongoing GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/6dbc2e73
Want to learn more about pysanky and book a private event?
Connect with our friend and partner, Ms. Stephanie Cheeseman aka"Pysanky Steph" (as seen in the Washington Post and CBS Evening News) here.
Press from 2022:
Alexandria Living Magazine: https://alexandrialivingmagazine.com/lifestyle/pysanky-egg-fundraiser-to-help-ukrainian-war-refugees/
Interested in learning more about TCM? Visit us here. Want to work for us? Tell us more about yourself here. Need a WOSB or SDVOSB with our skillset and interested in having your company partner or team with TCM on a proposal or active project? Submit your information here.
The Critical Mass (TCM), LLC is an established Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Woman-Owned (WOSB) based in Alexandria, Virginia. TCM was recognized by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce as the “2022 Best In Business Rising Star Of The Year Winner” and as a finalist for the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce 2022 Distinguished Service Award. TCM founder and CEO, Ms. Jordan Wilhelm, is a former U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer and govcon executive with experience running global programs in support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement. Learn more at https://www.thecriticalmass.com/