Full Circle Moments
We love a good full circle moment and in this update we have two to share with you: How Art Continues to Bring Hope to Ukraine: the culmination of our Ukrainian Art Auction, and Feeding 150 Syrian Refugee Families: our first strategic partnership in Lebanon.
How Art is Bringing Hope to Ukraine
At the end of December 2023, we concluded our Ukrainian Art Auction featuring 20 pieces of original artwork by student artists of the Lutsk Art School in Lutsk, Ukraine. All 20 pieces were successfully auctioned off raising $4,000 for the School.
In late March, the School used the majority of the proceeds to purchase charging stations for the local Lutsk Army Unit, and used the remaining proceeds to purchase art supplies for the School. But more than these tangible goods, this auction brought hope to our Ukrainian friends.
Almost all of the students and staff at the School have family actively serving (or who have served) in the military or supporting service of the current war, and this auction provided the artists, students, and staff with an opportunity to “do something” with their talents in direct support of those who put their lives on the line.
The auction, and the preceding art exhibit at Sautee Nacoochee Center, also fostered a deeper sense of community and source of pride as it validated the talents of these young teenage artists and their teachers. The interest and dollars spent were reminders that 2+ years into this war, people in the U.S. - You - care about them and the continued plight of their nation; a hope-filled gift with immeasurable value.
Watch the 90 second video of student artist, Maria Ponk, and Army Captain Oleksandr Kravchenko, showcase the charging stations
Feeding 150 Syrian Refugee Families
In November 2023, we began a new strategic partnership with Refugee Relief to feed Syrian Refugees in Beirut, Lebanon. This new initiative, the Syrian Refugee Food Voucher program, provides monthly food vouchers for Syrian Refugee families who were forcibly displaced from their homes and now live in Beirut.
As part of our 2023 end-of-year Giving Campaign, we committed to feeding 150 families for one month and, thanks to your support, we were able to do just that!
In March we received confirmation that food vouchers were soon to be dispensed and cupboards and bellies of those in need would soon be filled.
Listen to a message from the Free Evangelical Association of Lebanon, as they confirm receipt of the funds to our partner, Refugee Relief.
Join us in continuing to provide aid and hope to those in need.
