May 16, 2024

OPEN to host Project Help Ukraine event

Music, food, silent auction among activities Sunday

By Kate Malott

Ukrainian musicians and special guests pose for a picture at last year’s Project Help Ukraine event in May 2014. It was the first event for Ukraine in Newton. OPEN will host another fundraising event to include music, food and a silent auction from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the McCann Center at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. (Submitted Photo)

When a deeply rooted, escalating and dividing conflict occurs overseas many detach themselves from the distant events and turn the page, but a group of individuals from Newton are doing something to help their friends in Ukraine and they’re inviting all to join them.

Organization Promoting Everlasting Neighbors (OPEN) will host a special cultural fundraising event from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at McCann Center, 1115 S. Eighth Ave. E. in Newton. The purpose of the event is to raise money to send toiletries, food and other needed items to hospitals and homes in its sister city Smila, Ukraine.

“It’s an opportunity for people to immerse themselves culturally and experience something new,” OPEN board member Svitlana Miller said.

Organizers have planned a variety of event activities to help raise money: a bake sale; $2 Ukrainian cabbage rolls; $5 Ukrainian yarn doll craft project; live music; $15 ‘Glory to Ukraine’ T-shirts; and a silent auction of donated items.

Live music will be performed by a Ukrainan group from Oskaloosa, SeVer, and a group of Ukrainan children from Ames.

Newton and Smila have been sister cities for more than 20 years. That was when the Ukraine broke away from the USSR and it was why the organization was formed, OPEN board member Jane Johnson said.

Over the years, the two towns have developed a true partnership through numerous exchange students, professional development and personal visits.

As conflict continues to strife eastern Ukraine, its trouble has a great impact throughout all parts of the country.

More than one million people have fled eastern Ukraine, according to the United Nations, and that number from last year. Many are going home or to other Ukrainian cities, such as Smila. The hospitals are in need of supplies, residents are in need of goods and the government does not have the means to supply in crisis.

“Mobilization has affected all regions of the country and a lot are giving everything they have but its not enough,” Johnson said.

The economy is also affected. The price of goods is going drastically up, and adequate food and housing have become a problem as well.

OPEN will be using proceeds from its fall dinner fundraiser as well as the money raised from the Sunday event for its sister city Smila. The event is not only intended to help friends in Smila but also to provide a fun and cultural experience for local residents.

The event is freewill donation at the door.

For more information the event or to see a sample of silent auction items, visit the OPEN Newton Iowa Facebook page.

Donations can be made to OPEN Project Help Ukraine, PO Box 253, Newton, IA 50208.

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or at kmalott@newtondailynews.com.