During the New Year and Christmas holidays, the Ukrainian community in Illinois united around charity concerts and prayers. In Arlington Heights, as part of the “Christmas Miracle” program, parishioners collected donations for the treatment of wounded Ukrainian soldiers through the Protez Foundation. And in Chicago, the vocal group “Trioda” concluded its Christmas tour with the program “Home for Christmas,” combining caroling, a family atmosphere, and fundraising in support of Ukraine.
This was reported by Radio UA Chicago / Surma Newspaper.
“Christmas Miracle” in Arlington Heights
A concert program organized by the Ukrainian Church of Chicago under the name “Christmas Miracle” was held in the city of Arlington Heights. The event was held in a cozy hall with the participation of parishioners and guests. Pastor Vitaliy Hanulych invited those present to a joint prayer, after which Ukrainian carols were performed by a group of carol singers.
The participants of the event joined the charity auction and made donations. As noted, this is not the first time the church has provided assistance to wounded Ukrainian soldiers, whose treatment in the United States is organized by the Protez Foundation.
The official representative of the foundation, Volodymyr Dolynka, and Ukrainian defender Vitaliy Belyaev, who is undergoing treatment in the United States, thanked for the financial support and expressed hope that the new year will be the year of Ukraine and Ukrainians returning to a peaceful life.
Christmas program “Home for Christmas”
In the Church of St. Joseph the Betrothed in Chicago, the holiday season ended with a concert by the vocal group “Trioda” with a Christmas program “Home for Christmas”.
As musician “Elvis” (Volodymyr Olensky) told the newspaper “Surma”, the idea of the program remains unchanged: “Each region of Ukraine has its own Christmas customs and traditions, but there is one thing that unites us – to gather the whole family in the group on such grand holidays. Unfortunately, not all Ukrainians have a real opportunity to go home now. So we help them feel the joy of a family holiday with our carols.”
Thus, the group includes participants Pavlo Chervinsky, Volodymyr Rybak and Andriy Gambal together with musicians “Elvis” (Volodymyr Olensky), Yuriy Karpenko, Vitaliy Fedyukov and Andriy Shpulyaky, who expressed gratitude for the hospitality to Father Mykola Buryadnyk, the Cyril and Methodius community of the church for organizational assistance and the company “ZVUK” for technical support.
Each concert featured a charitable component: auctions, fundraising, and support for initiatives in favor of Ukraine, including in cooperation with the “Help Heroes of Ukraine” foundation.
During the Christmas events, participants and organizers emphasized that caroling, joint prayer, charity, and support for Ukraine remain an important part of the life of the Ukrainian community abroad.
Photo: Protez Foundation, Radio UA Chicago / Surma Newspaper.
Author: Danylo Pievchev