Sunflower Gala

The UNWLA and the Ukrainian Professionals Organization recently held a fundraising gala at the Ukrainian Institute of America to benefit UNWLA’s initiative: Support of orphanages and safe spaces for vulnerable children and women affected by the war in Ukraine. The successful sold out event raised over $50,000.

“We want to bring world attention to the suffering of children under the brutal russian occupation of Ukraine,” stated UNWLA president Natalie Pawlenko. “More than 2,000 children have been injured or killed, and more than 20,000 forcibly abducted since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022.”

Guests attended a wonderful evening of Ukrainian culture. The guest of honor was world-renowned Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv, founder and chief conductor of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. Maestro Lyniv is also the first female chief conductor of an Italian opera house and the first Ukrainian to conduct at the Met.

Distinguished guests included: Consul General Adrian Kubicki from the Polish Consulate and Consul Reiki Uema from the Japanese Consulate. Opening remarks were made by Nataliia Musiienko, Consul of Cultural and Public Diplomacy of the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York.

The dinner included hors d’oeuvres by famed New York City restaurant Veselka, and a performance by world-class classical musicians led by soprano and contralto Vira Slywotzky, piano virtuoso Pavlo Gintov, cellist Valeria Sholokhova, and harpist Odarka Polanskyj Stockert.

Sincere thanks to all the generous donors and supporters, especially our Soyuzianky, for making a difference.