Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1463119
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MARCH 30 - APRIL 5, 2022 UCW 17 is past week, March 24, marked one month since renewed aggression in Ukraine in the ongoing Russo-Ukraine War. Begin- ning in 2014 and resulting in the Russian annexation of Crimea and unrest in the Donbas region, the war has culminated in a full-scale in- vasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. While the war may seem very far away for many in Cumberland County, it is hitting home for some. Dmitry and Alena, whose last names are being withheld at their request because Dmi- try is in the U.S. Army Special Forces, are from and grew up near Kyiv. e couple immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine. Dmitry joined the U.S. Army in 2009 and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2014. He currently serves on active duty and is stationed locally at Fort Bragg. While Dimitry and Alena now live in the U.S., their families are still in Ukraine. is includes brothers and sisters and their children, aunts, uncles and cousins. Dmitry's nephew and brother-in-law are currently fighting in Kyiv along with thousands more throughout Ukraine who have vowed to defend their homeland. Shortly after the invasion, Dmitry put out a call through his personal network and via social media for support and medical supplies to be donated and sent to Ukraine. Just one day after the invasion began, Dmitry posted. "If you [are] not too far away from me: Fayetteville NC, we've got some request[s] from Ukraine," Dmitry said in his post. He was requesting medical supplies to send home. And the community answered. "Russian and Belorussian terrorists are still attacking my home country, and I am still looking for equipment to send to Ukraine. We successfully shipped off today 22 40-gallon boxes of amazing medical equipment worth $98,000," Dmitry said in early March. In support of his call for help, the Special Forces Foundation, a non- profit with the mission of support- ing Green Berets and their families, helped Dmitry and Alena establish a fund supporting their cause. "e Green Beret Humanitarian Fund (GBHF) was created to sup- port humanitarian efforts in which Green Berets coordinate, work with or otherwise support outside of their line of duty. e fund was created in the first days of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine when a fellow Green Beret and his wife reached out for assistance in helping their former countrymen," the Special Forces Foundation said in a statement. "Dmitry and Alena have actively been gaining support within their community in the form of monetary and material donations and physical help in preparing those donations for delivery to Ukrainians in dire need. e GBHF has been set up so that they, along with other advocates, can actively raise funds to aid in the expenses accrued when shipping donated items to Ukraine." Since the creation of the GBHF, a Facebook page, UkrainianEfforts has been created, demonstrations in Fayetteville have been organized, and Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom and Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktail Bar have scheduled an event in support of Dmitry and Alena. e brewery is accepting donations by collecting Meals Ready to Eat, dry freeze foods, blankets, water filtration systems, socks and undergarments and medi- cal supplies. e efforts to support the GBHF will culminate in an event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 3. For information on how to help the GBHF visit the Facebook Ukrai- nianEfforts, and to make a donation, you can text GBHF to 41444 and fol- low the link provided. EVENT Local couple calls for donations, support for Ukraine homeland by EMILY SUSSMAN EMILY SUSSMAN, Editor. COMMENTS? editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Members of the community show support for the Ukraine during a demonstration in downtown Fayetteville. (Photo courtesy of UkranianEfforts Facebook page.) Tickets On Tickets On Sale NOW! Sale NOW! Give every child a voice! Give every child a voice! For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit CACFayNC.org or the Crown Center Box Office. Thank you to all our generous sponsors. For a complete list, please visit CACFayNC.org. Saturday, April 9, 6-10pm crown Center Ballroom To benefit the Child Advocacy Center Your ticket purchase will help the CAC serve approximately 700 child victims of abuse each year. Rock Stars Champions for Children