“Help Us” Benefit for Ukraine Fundraiser Raises over $6700 during Memorial Day Weekend
Tuesday, May 31, 2022 — Over Memorial Day weekend, downtown Toledo business, Graphite Design + Build (GD+B), an art, design, and sculpture studio, hosted “HELP US, a benefit fundraiser for the people of Ukraine.” The independently organized event exceeded expectations and raised $6,792 in a matter of hours.
The event was organized by Katya Derkachuk, a Ukrainian immigrant living in Toledo, with the support of friends and community members, including Doug Kampfer and Jeremy Link, who own GD+B. Funds will support UA.ANTS, an organization selected by Derkachuk’s network of family and friends in Ukraine. She hopes Saturday’s success will raise awareness for even more donations before they are sent in the coming days.
“I am beyond grateful to have support from the incredible friends GD+B and the ever so generous Toledo community. I find comfort in knowing that each dollar raised will go directly towards supporting displaced families, arranging temporary housing, and evacuating those in hot spots. Every Ukrainian around the world is impacted by this war. No matter where we are, our hearts beat as one with our homeland,” said Derkachuk.
The event took place on Saturday, May 28 from Noon - 8:00 p.m. and featured live music from local bands and performers, including The Daydrinkers, House Tours, and DJ Jon Zenz. GD+B also designed custom shirts for the event bearing battle cry slogans from Ukraine that have captivated supporters around the world, from the patriotic “Slava Ukraini” to the more elicit naval correspondence that went viral at the beginning of the Russian invasion, “Russian Warship, Go **** Yourself.”
Quoted slogans aside, the family-friendly event included activities like pinball, a potluck, and a kid’s area where attendees and children drew pictures and wrote letters that Derkachuk will send to her family and others who remain in Ukraine.
Known locally for its whimsical sculptures and immersive spatial design that can be found throughout the region at favorites like Metroparks Toledo and the Toledo Zoo, GD+B is best-known for its design and construction of the recently renovated ProMedica Museum of Natural History, which reopened in 2019. The company also regularly makes space available for events, including fundraisers.
GD+B was proud to underwrite food, drinks, and other event costs, and performers and planners donated their time to ensure all funds raised went to Ukrainians in need. Raffle items donated from local businesses to support the cause included everything from local artworks to hotel stays. Donors included The Blarney, Ye Olde Cock and Bull, local Ukrainian artist Caroline Jardine, Chef Meirav, Vira Movement, Pantless Brands, Kirwin, Peter Kharchenko, and various other local establishments.
"Graphite is always proud to support Toledo and its arts community as much as we can. We’re proud to be located in the heart of the city. This time, we thought our community could come together to support a community on the other side of the world. Watching the Ukrainian people fight back in real-time over social media has been eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and inspiring. There is always something we can do to help each other. We hope this small event where Toledoans showed up with generous hearts can help some people find a little bit of comfort and peace until the invaders are ultimately defeated. Most Toledoans, and most Americans, see themselves in the Ukrainians fighting for their freedom and way of life.” said Jeremy Link, owner at Graphite Design + Build.
Derkachuk, an active member of the local wellness community as a yoga teacher and business owner herself, encourages those moved by news un Ukraine to contribute to the cause. Donations can be made at http://kalinaphotolab.com/help4ukraine or PayPal - [email protected] and custom t-shirts are still available for purchase. All proceeds benefit UA.ANTS.
For press inquiries, t-shirt purchases, or additional information, contact [email protected].
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Press Release Contact Name: Jeremy Link
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-690-4870
Organization Name: Graphite Design + Build, Help Us benefit for Ukraine
Website or Link: www.graphitedandb.com
Organization Address / City / State: 15 North Huron, Toledo, OH 43604