In a March 2022 Reuters Charity evenings were held in Manhattan and Philadelphia, during which a chevron, a name coin and a photo with an autograph of a pilot from Chernihiv region with the call sign "Pumba" were drawn. As a result of the two events, thousands of dollars were raised for the needs of Ukrainian military personnel and children of fallen defenders.
This was reported by Suspilne with reference to volunteer Valeria Shvydka and Hromada.
According to the organizer Valeria Shvydka, the main lot of the auction was the personal belongings of a current pilot of the assault aviation brigade of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the call sign "Pumba". The name of the serviceman is not disclosed for security reasons.
“Three people competed for this lot, and it was won by a woman from Connecticut, who regularly donates to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” said Valeria Shvydka.
The most expensive lot was a coin and an autographed photo – they were purchased for 1 thousand US dollars. In total, about 2 thousand US dollars were collected for lots from “Pumba” during two events.
A ticket to the event cost 60 dollars, and a total of 115 people attended the two charity evenings. This allowed to collect an additional 6.9 thousand US dollars. Since January 2026, the organizers have accumulated 22 thousand dollars at such events.
“Pumba” itself explained in a comment to Suspilny that it joins such initiatives to help raise funds for the needs of the army and children who have lost their military parents.
In addition, one of the evenings was held at the Ukrainian National House in Manhattan. The charity wine tasting was led by wine expert Roman Levytskyi with the Wine Tasting by Roman Levytskyi team in collaboration with Lesya Slobodian (“Samopomich”, 64th department of the Ukrainian Association of Winemakers).
The program included a tasting of five wines from different regions of the world with presentations on winemaking technologies, biodynamic wine characteristics and rules of professional tasting. A special highlight was the tasting of American wine in the Ukrainian style, which emphasized the contribution of Ukrainians to the development of winemaking on the East Coast of the USA.
During the break, a lottery and a charity auction were held. The evening also had a deep emotional meaning for the pilot: February 7 marked the second anniversary of the death of his comrade - Vladyslav Rykov, Hero of Ukraine and full knight of the orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky and “For Courage”.
The funds raised were directed to two areas: closing the request for the helicopter brigade (purchase of an anti-drone rifle) and supporting the Brave Children of Ukraine Foundation, which takes care of children who have lost their military parents.
“We also purchased an anti-drone rifle, and sent part of the funds to the Brave Children of Ukraine Foundation,” Valeria Shvydka clarified.
Photo: Valeria Shvydka
Prepared by: Inna Mikhno