Resilience – The War through Ukrainian Children’s Art

149 Church Street,Burlington VT 05401

11 January, 2023

Description

Please join us as we celebrate the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people on January 11th at Burlington City Hall’s Contois Auditorium. On display will be over 50 pieces of artwork from the children of Ukraine, first hand stories from volunteers, and video messages from people throughout Ukraine. Like in Vermont, winter can be a challenging time for the families of Ukraine. When you consider the massive damage to civilian infrastructure, loss of power, lack of heating, and food and water shortages, that challenge becomes an obstacle difficult to overcome. Funds raised will go toward establishing consistent and reliable food and supply deliveries directly to villages and shelters near the front lines and continued support for shelters of internally displaced Ukrianians in the western Ukraine. Registration is free. A suggested donation of $25 dollars will be accepted at the door. Cash or Card. Donations can also be made at https://www.actionsbeyondwords.net/vfe This event will feature a cash bar and light hors d'oeuvres. Hosted by: Colin Hilliard and Adam Roof Emcee: Kim Anderson An Actions Beyond Words Mission Ukraine Benefit Simon Massey and Travis Goode, Founders of Actions Beyond Words, will be in attendance sharing stories of their dozens of aid deliveries to communities across Ukraine. In partnership with Burlington City Arts and the Pomerleau Family Foundation Special Thanks to Mayor Weinberger, Manhattan Pizza and Pub, Sugarsnap Catering, Doreen Craft and the entire BCA team, Sarah Kjelleren, MEDIA: SEVEN DAYS - https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/how-vermonters-are-helping-ukrainians-fight-for-democracy/Content?oid=37039616 WCAX: https://www.wcax.com/2022/04/25/vermonters-volunteer-overseas-help-people-ukraine/ May 24 - WDEV Morning Drive: https://www.wvmtradio.com/episode/adam-roof-and-colin-hilyard/ August 17 - WDEV Morning Drive: https://www.wvmtradio.com/episode/adam-roof-colin-hilliard/ OUR STORY: Since April 2022, partners from across Vermont have worked together to provide direct, efficient, and substantial support to the people of Ukraine. Our shared mission to support Ukrainians in need has been made possible by our principal partners, Actions Beyond Words, the Pomerleau Family Foundation, and the Vermont Council on World Affairs (VCWA). Additional Vermont-based support has come from over 50 private donors, as well as organizational partners including the UVM Medical Center, Burton Snowboards, Skirack / Patagonia Burlington, Twincraft Skincare, Revision Military, Vermont Flannel, Vermont Teddy Bear, Darn Tough Socks, Saint Michael's Hockey, UVM Hockey, Vermont Small Business Accelerators, the Burlington Business Association, and Burlington U-HAUL. To date, we have delivered over 2,000 pounds of US supplies and funded 15 supply runs bringing approximately 20 tons of aid to over 22 communities, including Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Irpin, and Kyiv. All told, this support has reached over 6,000 Ukrainians in need. Our partners outside of Vermont have also been essential to this effort. From Boston; Annissa Essaibi George, Sonia Essaibi, Pat Ryan, and Adam Webster. Even Morrell from Denver and Ari Adams from NYC. Tim Carlsgaard and Dianna Cusick from Minnesota. Jon Lubecky from Washington, DC. Tonko Ihnat from Canada. Simon Massey from the UK and Travis Goode from South Carolina, and their international team of drivers. The entire Paracrew Norway team. And finally, a special thanks to Alex Morokhovskyi and the dozens of local Ukrainans who have worked with us and become our friends. Moving forward, in partnership with Actions Beyond Words, we intend to establish and fund consistent and reliable food and supply deliveries directly to villages and shelters near the front lines (including Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Mykolaiv, and Sumy) as well as continue to support shelters in the Western region (including Volytsya, Shehyni, Mostyska, Butsiv, and Bryukhovychi). In addition to regularly planned deliveries, we will work with teams on the ground to shift resources to meet emerging needs as the situation in Ukraine changes rapidly. For example, we are looking to operate regularly in Kherson and other soon-to-be liberated communities in the near future once it is relatively safe for drivers to do so.