Al's Angels and People Of Fairfield Raise Many Thousands To Aid Ukraine Relief Effort
The children's dance group Kalynochka perform traditional Ukranian folk dances at Fairfield Stands With Ukraine on Wednesday night.Last night, what started as a discussion by a small group of Fairfield Women morphed into a major fundraiser for the people of Ukraine. Held at the Penfield Pavilion On Wednesday March 30th, this special event blended solemn moments with music, song, great food, traditional Ukrainian folk dancing and music and raised nearly $18,000 before the doors even opened, which will aid the relief effort for the people of the Ukraine as the second month of war ravages their country.
The sold out event saw 350 tickets sold before the event even began. Adding to the funds raised was a silent auction which filled table after table, a raffle and bracelets in the colors of Ukraine created by children. Notably, every dollar raised will go to that effort as all of the more than two dozen vendors and businesses (see program photo below) donated their goods and services including the Town of Fairfield which donated use of the beautiful Penfield Pavilion. Al's Angels, the Westport based charitable organization that we have seen helping children and families for more than twenty years was instrumental in producing the event.
The entertainers delighted the audience, especially the high energy performance of the children's dance group Kalynochka under the supervision of Gregoriy Momot who operates dance schools in Stamford and NYC. The Ukrainian National Anthem was performed by Lilia Kushnir on piano, Nadia Solska on violin and sung by Kateryna Bilous Clark. and was sung solemnly by the many Ukrainians in attendance which was followed by a prayer for Ukraine performed by a children's vocal ensemble. A Ukranian stringed folk instrument, the Bandura, was played by Lesia Stetsko.
Speakers Irina and Khrystina Rayko spoke of the tragedy now happening in their country. Other speakers included Jaroslaw Palylyk, president of the southern CT and Westchester branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.Mr. Palylyk spoke at length in part saying "Here is what you can do as an American citizen. We ask that you Join Ukrainians and their supporters locally, nationally, and around the world during their rally’s and demonstrations. We need to ask for bipartisan political support. Reach out to the White House, your Senators, your Representatives and major news outlets." Mr Palylyk repeated the pleas of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zalensky for more military equipment including arial defense platforms, stronger sanctions in areas such as energy and against the families of Russian oligarchs living abroad and boycotts of Russian goods.
One speaker, Lena McMahan represented one of the prominent charitable organizations Razom, which is seeking donations. About Razom: "Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is 60,000 donors and dedicated volunteers. Our team are passionate professionals from around the world across industries including tech, finance, marketing, medicine, arts, academia and law with substantial experience across NGOs and charitable foundations with a simple mission: building a more prosperous Ukraine. Established in the United States with people in Ukraine, the non-profit organization works towards that mission by creating and accelerating spaces where people meet, partner and do." Donations can be made at: https://razomforukraine.org/
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. West wind 7 to 14 mph.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 33. West wind 13 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 54. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. West wind 8 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 9; State Hospitalizations Down 10
The State Department of Public Health reported 9 more cases in Westport over the past day. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 3.95% while hospitalizations were down 10 patients, with 88 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,047 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 3.95% [up from 3.35%]
State Hospitalizations: 88 patients [-10]
Tickets on Sale for Westport Writers’ Workshop Fundraiser
(L-R): Blake Schnirring, Linda Waterbury, Kathleen Sullivan, and Liz Matthews. Contributed photoWestport Writers’ Workshop: Westport Writers’ Workshop (WWW) announced today tickets are on sale for their More Than Words: Celebrating Outreach to Unheard Writers spring fundraiser on Friday, April 29th from 6:30-9:30. The event will raise monies for the organization’s community outreach and will be held at Wakeman Farm, 134 Cross Highway, Westport. The evening will feature Dave’s Specialty Food Truck Pizza, wine provided by Greens Farms Spirit Shop, music, a silent auction (items such as writing coaching/editing services), raffles (includes a mixed case of wine), a literary gift basket door prize, and personal haikus created by Westport’s First Poet Laureate Diane Lowman. All are invited to attend by purchasing tickets ($125 per person) here: https://www.westportwriters.org/product-page/more-than-words-a-spring-fundraiser-s22. Dress is smart casual.
Westport Writers’ Workshop outreach programs provide free writing workshops to individuals and communities undergoing specific challenges. The More Than Words event kicks off this year’s fundraising for their 2022 outreach workshops.
"Community Outreach is a critical part of Westport Writers' Workshop’s success as a safe place for every writer. We strive to establish as many outreach communities as possible as it is the only way to make a far reaching impact. The More Than Words fundraiser affords us the privilege to continue these extraordinary efforts. On behalf of WWW, and hundreds of writers who have discovered their voices through outreach, I want to thank everyone who has supported us. We cannot overstate our gratitude,” said Kathleen Sullivan, Outreach Committee Chair
Westport Writers’ Workshop has partnered with many local groups such as The Center for Empowerment and Education (formerly the Danbury Women’s Shelter), Homes for the Brave, Caroline House, Harlem Village Academies, Training at Amherst Writers and Artists, as well as hosted free workshops for Writing for Women affected by Breast Cancer, College Essay Writing for Fairfield Seniors, and Writing for Women with Special Needs Children. Should your organization like to be considered for the program, please email info@westportwritersworkshop.
“Westport Writers’ Workshop has changed my life for the better. Training with Amherst Writers & Artists was transformative, and now I’m able to share the gift of writing with other mothers of children who have special needs. Writing has been a way for me to work through and express the struggles that my situation presents, and I hope my More Than Words workshop helps other find healing and joy by tapping into their own creativity,” said Kathy Satterfield, Westport Writers’ Workshop Instructor
More than Words: Celebrating Outreach to Unheard Writers ensures the continued funding of WWW’s integral community service and promises to be a feel-good evening for all. For more information regarding Westport Writers’ Workshop at large, visit westportwriters.org.