A unique charity event took place in Chicago at City Winery Chicago, a gala concert in support of the Ukrainian Veterans Leadership Center at Kyiv Mohyla Academy in Ukraine, called Victory New Year, organized by the Kyiv Mohyla Academy Foundation in America. The event combined music, volunteerism and support for Ukrainian veterans.
This was reported by City Winery Chicago.
"For America, volunteering is a way of life. That's why the famous American jazz diva Lynn Jordan, with the support of the musicians of the band Shivers, with the Ukrainian vocal group Trioda, the guitar virtuoso Elvis-Volodymyr Olenskyy, with the swallows of model diva Kateryna Grod and the MC of the whole event, Violanta Levis, a graduate of Mohyla Academy, sowed your homes with goodness and Ukraine with the donation of victory," shared Executive Director of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Foundation of America, Maria Klimchak.
World-famous jazz diva Lynne Jordan and her band The Shivers performed on stage.
"After the way the Ukrainian people responded to her and The Shivers, no one could be a better performer for a benefit concert for Ukrainian veterans. Her amazing rendition of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" is the perfect song to support the Ukrainian people in this time of war," organizers said.
The concert opened with a performance of the traditional Ukrainian "Shchedryk" in a modern arrangement. Lynn Jordan, known for her lively performances, won the hearts of the audience with her jazz, blues and soul hits, while the Ukrainian vocal ensemble Trioda complemented the concert with patriotic songs. Sergiy Kyslytsya, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, was the guest of honor at the charity concert.
Special emphasis was placed on the joint performance of classic American and Ukrainian hits, symbolizing the cooperation between the two nations. Virtuoso guitarist Volodymyr "Elvis" Olenskyy surprised the guests with his skills, and the host of the event, NaUKMA graduate Violanta Levis, created a warm and festive atmosphere.
The main goal of the Victory New Year's Eve was to raise funds to support the Center for Leadership of Ukraine's Defenders at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Established in September 2024, the Center helps veterans integrate into society, develop leadership skills and promote their professional growth. All funds raised will be used to implement programs that help Ukrainian veterans find new ways to develop themselves and contribute to the country's reconstruction.
The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Foundation in America would like to express its sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event, especially artisan Liubov Lukasevych for her exclusive wreath for Lynn Jordan, and Kateryna Grod for the participation of her modeling school with a demonstration of traditional Ukrainian bridal wear.
Through such initiatives, the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States maintains ties with their homeland and contributes to Ukraine's recovery.
Photo: Peter Koutun
Author: Inna Mikhno