As Russian missiles continue to plague Ukraine, Ukraine's fight to protect their home and resources from Russia's attack continues. In Central New York, teenagers who feel closely connected to the battle through their volunteer efforts have now joined the fight

Working on a wall covered in sunflowers, Adam Kitchen, a Canastota high school senior says, "We have the name of the person who donated on the sunflower. They donated at least $1 for the initiative and then we take the sunflower that they put their name on and we put it up on the wall."

Kitchen is part of Canastota High School's new Ambassadors Leadership Program, partnering with the boxing Hall of Fame. One of their first projects is a global one.

"Well, the war in Ukraine, it's obviously a very depressing thing to see all the atrocities being committed by the Russian forces. And, of course, with the connection we have for the boxing Hall of Fame, we felt that there was something that we need to do to help out," Kitchen says.

Mya Rizzo, another Ambassador, says she had the idea to sell sunflowers for Ukraine to hang on their massive school logo.

"At first it was like, how are we going to sell this many? Because Canastota is like a long word, we had to fill up the whole wall. But like once we got rolling with that, we sold a lot," said Rizzo.

Canastota Superintendent Shawn Bissetta says with the Boxing Hall of Fame, right down the street, they're positioned to have this unique partnership resulting already in a global impact.

"Ed Brophy and his team at the Hall of Fame are great partners. And so it was just a tremendous learning experience for our students to be involved with real-world learning," Bissetta adds.

Brophy is the executive director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

"Here in Canastota supporting Ukraine with our students who have done been doing some fundraising and doing some nice kind things for Ukraine. So there's a connection between Ukraine, the Klitschkos, and the boxing Hall of Fame and Canastota," said Brophy.

"It's very warm heart feeling, but also they're learning things. That they need to learn in life. For example, they worked during the Hall of Fame weekend, they volunteered. Or they worked behind the gift shop. They worked behind the membership table. They were greeters at the door. They were helping with our ringside lecture. So public speaking. It really gave them the experience to kind of come out of their shell speak to the public and boy they blossom right out so it's very nice to see that growth," he continued.

The connection at first might seem a world away but add boxing champion brothers from Ukraine, the Canastota International Boxing Hall of Fame, and Canastota High Schoolers Ambassadors volunteering and raising funds makes perfect sense and does not go unnoticed by two famous Ukrainians.

Vitali Klitschko, is the Kyiv Mayor and a Heavy Weight Champion.

"Here we are from Kyiv, thank you for all the messages and most importantly for all the support that people of Canastota, especially the younger ones, doing for Ukraine. For our support," said Klitschko.

His brother, Wladimir Klitschko, also a heavy weight boxing champ says from Ukraine, "We very appreciate for everything what you're doing for Ukraine and I hope we have a chance to be in Canastota again."

As students join heavyweight fighters in a fight for their country and their lives. To date, the Canastota students have been able to raise thousands of dollars, as well as collect supplies to ship to Ukraine for those in need.