Indiana Stands With Ukraine: A Very Special Celebrity Fundraiser To Be Held For Ukrainian Refugees

July 2022

On Feb. 24, 2022, the world as soon as once more got here to a standstill and watched in gaping horror because the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine in a barbaric and unprovoked escalation of the continued Russo-Ukrainian Battle. The world continues to look at because the Russian navy intensifies its marketing campaign in an try to annihilate the nation of Ukraine — creating the most important armed battle in Europe since WWII in addition to an ongoing refugee disaster.

For me, personally, it’s an all too acquainted and tragic storyline that tells the story of my very own German relations who have been murdered beneath the direct order of a vile dictator. Having struck a deep nerve, I had a fateful dialog with Franc D’Ambrosio a number of months again whereas he was visiting in Indiana.

D’Ambrosio is thought greatest for his long-running function because the Phantom within the Phantom of the Opera and for his emotional portrayal of the opera-singing Anthony Corleone, son of Al Pacino and Diane Keaton’s characters within the Academy Award-nominated movie “The Godfather III.” He performs all through the nation and at worldwide concert events and shall be returning to Feinstein’s at Lodge Carmichael this August after an unforgettable three nights in August of 2021.

I used to be conscious that D’Ambrosio was sharing his abilities and was working with Polish Dominican Friars — with whom he has a private connection — to lift consciousness and funds to offer humanitarian assist for the Ukrainian refugees crossing the Poland-Ukraine border that the friars are caring for — firsthand. The Dominican Friars have a 501(c)(3) arrange, and all the financial donations are going proper into the fingers of those friars, who’re actually on the entrance strains providing meals, shelter, medical and psychological well being care to Ukrainian refugees and their kids.

A Name to Motion

D’Ambrosio and Olympic determine skating champion Brian Boitano have held many intimate fundraising occasions for the Dominican Friars at private and different non-public residences in California and Pennsylvania.

With this information, I recruited my publishers, Neil and Lena Lucas, and a handful of locals to help D’Ambrosio along with his fundraising efforts. For individuals who don’t know, Lena [Lucas] is Ukrainian, and she or he has been experiencing the devastation and carnage by her relations who have been residing in Kyiv, Ukraine, when the struggle broke out. Fortunately, Lena’s household has been spared bodily casualties, however the psychological influence and materials losses are incomprehensible for many who have by no means skilled struggle and displacement.

And so, with the facility of networking throughout the extraordinary philanthropic neighborhood that resides in central Indiana, the publishers of Carmel Month-to-month [the Lucases] and I are honored to be working with an impressive planning committee comprised of Amy and Ryan Wright of Indianapolis, Neal Burnett and Karen Bender of Indianapolis, Jeanne Martin of northern Indiana, Senior Director of Development at Dominican Friars [Western Province] Bryan Fegley, Franc D’Ambrosio and Brian Boitano. Collectively, we’re coordinating a night of leisure, dialogue and fundraising for the Dominican Friars’ 501(c)(3). And 100% of the proceeds from tickets, in addition to further income introduced in from a powerful dwell public sale, will go to the friars and instantly to the help of the Ukrainian refugees the Polish Dominican Friars are helping. This exceptional invitation-only occasion will happen on the non-public residence of Amy and Ryan Wright on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.

The night will characteristic small plates — donated by Ryan and Amy Wright and ready by Amy, and Lena’s mom Valentyna Ossinna who was a chef in Kyiv — sampling a few of Ukraine’s hottest and delectable meals, in addition to a nationwide and native celeb leisure lineup — plus a particular video message and efficiency from one other celeb artist who has lately graced the stage at Feinstein’s Lodge Carmichael.

A Noble and Obtainable Aim

The planning committee is proud to announce the incomparable Franc D’Ambrosio because the night’s headliner and a particular efficiency by Don Farrell and Terry Woods, and Indiana Ballet Conservatory that includes Ukrainian ballet! Attendees can even hear from representatives of the Dominican Friars, Western Province, who will present updates on the help that’s being administered on account of the generosity of individuals from across the globe.

The objective of the night’s fundraiser is to capitalize on bringing in a few of our nation’s and state’s best abilities to not solely entertain us however to lift consciousness of the struggle that the Russians are relentlessly waging in opposition to the Ukrainians and to contribute to D’Ambrosio’s objective of elevating $1 million by the top of 2022. With the earlier fundraising occasions mixed, D’Ambrosio and Boitano have raised greater than $500,000.

“For the time being the struggle began, I known as them [Dominican Friars] instantly and requested them, ‘What can I do?’” D’Ambrosio shared. “They mentioned, ‘We have to get cash into the fingers of our fellow brothers, and 100% will go in the direction of the well being care, medical wants and psychological wants of the refugees and their kids.’ The Polish Dominican Monks on this Dominican order roll up their sleeves and work tirelessly — they don’t simply communicate with their mouths, however they communicate with their actions. One in all my priest associates advised me that he’s turned his parish right into a pediatric oncology ward as a result of life nonetheless goes on and these kids want their most cancers therapies.”

Anybody who needs to donate to the Dominican Friars’ 501(c)(3) doesn’t need to attend the fundraiser in October to play a significant function within the Ukrainian refugee assist efforts. You’ll be able to merely go to the Dominican Friars web site and donate on to their 501(c)(3).

“The struggle and refugee disaster are now not the highest information gadgets,” D’Ambrosio said. “We have now to work even tougher now in an effort to elevate cash for these people. The struggle isn’t ending any time within the close to future, and as a matter of truth, Russia is doubling down on their brutality, so these refugees want much more cash and assist.”

D’Ambrosio paused and with conviction, mentioned, “It’s crucial that we care for the [Ukrainian] refugees and the youngsters and deal with the bodily and emotional wants. These kids are the way forward for Ukraine — if they aren’t wholesome and powerful, there is no such thing as a future for Ukraine.”

Keep tuned for extra particulars and associated info on the upcoming fundraiser hosted by the planning committee and sponsored by Carmel Month-to-month. You would not have to attend the occasion in particular person to take part! You may make a distinction right now by donating to the Dominican Friars through their web site at https://opwest.org/indianadonation.

We wish to thank Franc D’Ambrosio for his time and efforts, and we hope to see lots of you there at considered one of his two performances to be held at Feinstein’s at Lodge Carmichael on Aug. 26 and 27. Tickets for these reveals are on sale at feinsteinshc.com.