A local fundraiser, packed with emotional storytelling and the cultural beauty of Ukraine, aims to help save lives by providing critical medical supplies. The event, hosted locally by A2 on behalf of Blue/Yellow USA, will be held Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m. (silent auction) with dinner at 6 p.m., at St. Francis Parish, 2250 E. Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor.
Speakers include:
• Rima Ziuraitis, an American volunteer combat medic who, since the earliest days of the full-scale invasion, has volunteered to save lives and teach combat medicine in Ukraine. Her work is supported by Blue/Yellow USA.
• Fr. Jason Charron, pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church and keynote speaker, will discuss the war in Ukraine from a Ukrainian Catholic perspective shaped by front-line pastoral work and direct humanitarian experience.
• Maks and Alla Kondratenko, a local Ukrainian couple living in Ann Arbor, fled after their city and business was bombed during the early days of the full-scale invasion. They will speak about their experiences as refugees from the war and how they are rebuilding their lives and business here in Michigan.
The Polish Village Café is donating catering for the dinner. There will also be a live auction; dancers from Echoes of Ukraine Ensemble from Detroit who will be performing Ukrainian folk dances; and live music provided by Ensemble Barvinok.
All proceeds go to medical supplies and equipment. Tickets are $100 before April 17, and $200 after. Visit http://www.a2forukraine.com/ for information and to purchase tickets.