2nd Annual Napa Valley Stands With Ukraine Benefit Event Coming Up

NAPA VALLEY, CA — The second annual Napa Valley Stands With Ukraine benefit event is planned for Saturday, Jan. 13. The event is a collaboration of Napa Valley to Ukraine, Ukrainian American House and the Town of Yountville, with proceeds going to Ukrainian refugees living in Napa Valley communities.

Tickets are on sale for the event slated for 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Yountville Community Hall. The event is a Ukrainian New Year's celebration and provides an immersive cultural experience with live Ukrainian music, holiday traditions, and a showcase of Ukrainian vendors. Plus, a live auction features one-of-a-kind items from Ukraine.

Guests have the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of Napa Valley's finest wines paired with Ukrainian and local cuisine and hear firsthand from Ukrainian leaders and Napa Valley’s refugees helping to organize this event.

"Ukrainian people have suffered tremendously within the last two years," said Roman Shermata, chairman of Ukrainian American House. "Millions have lost their homes, thousands have lost their lives. There is not a single Ukrainian family that I know that has not been impacted by the Russian aggression against Ukraine. I am forever grateful to American citizens supporting Ukraine and who have welcomed Ukrainian refugees to their homes and communities."

Funds raised at the event will support monthly community dinners in 2024 organized by and for Ukrainian refugees in Napa County. Funds will also support microloans to help these families to afford cars and housing of their own, according to Debbie Alter-Starr, a licensed marriage and family counselor and co-founder of Napa Valley to Ukraine.

"Ukrainian American House has meanwhile become an essential partner in helping our refugees, many of whom arrive speaking little to no English," Alter-Starr said. "We are also raising funds to continue and expand their peer support and mental health programs which serve our refugees in their native languages, in person, over the phone and online."

One of those refugees is Kate T., whose family fled Mariupol, Ukraine, and now lives in Napa.

"Americans are kind and helpful but they don’t know specific aspects of our culture, how we talk to each other and what makes us feel comfortable," Kate said. "It’s important for Ukrainians to meet and gather. Our community is over 40 people and is growing. As people who went through trauma, being far from home we need to feel secure and also to be independent."

According to Yountville Mayor Margie Mohler, the second annual Napa Valley Stands with Ukraine event is an excellent opportunity to deepen one's understanding and appreciation of the Ukrainian people and their traditions.

"We look forward to seeing you again this year at our community center to celebrate the New Year and support our refugees," Mohler said.

Advance tickets are $30 per person at EventBrite or $40 at the door and include a glass of wine, Champagne toast, and appetizers.

For further details please contact info@napaukraine.org and info@uahouse.org.