Benefit concert raises over $125K for Ukraine
GREENSBORO, Ga. — The efforts of the local non-profit, Lake Country Medical Aid for Ukraine (LCMAFU), have paid off!
On Sunday, June 26, LCMAFU hosted a benefit concert at Oconee Brewing Company that raised more than $125,000. Proceeds will supply Ukraine with desperately needed medical supplies and will assist in safely evacuating medically fragile children from the country.
More than three hundred lake country residents and business leaders opened their hearts and supported this great cause to benefit the children of Ukraine. Supporters enjoyed a concert featuring Scott Deering and the Usual Suspects and special guest Tim Cadiere, who donated their time and talents to the event. An auction hosted by Ted Baker raised additional funds. It included some fantastic items such as a seven-night stay in a Santa Rosa Beach, FL condo (donated by Dr. Nic and Kimberly Chronos), a hayride and BBQ dinner for 10 at 3 Hearts Farm (donated by Chuck and Linda Kimbell), a Pig Roast for 50 people (donated by Riezl and Ted Baker), and a ride on the Spirit of Oconee.
The LCMAFU foundation and fundraising efforts were the brainchild of the co-chairmen, Dr. Nic Chronos, a local internist and cardiologist, and Ralph Olson, retired CEO. After the war started in Ukraine and Dr. Chronos saw the atrocities happening to the Ukrainian people (especially the children), he could not just sit idly back and do nothing. Through his connections with Dr. Mark Poznanasky, head professor at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, they could connect with doctors in the war zones in Ukraine and discover their most significant needs for medical supplies and how to get them distributed. During the benefit concert, Dr. Chronos shared a slide show of his father, who was also a victim of war as a child. “Any of the children you see in these horrible pictures in Ukraine could have been my father,” stated Chronos. He also thanked everyone for the effort to “Help Us, Help Them.” Ralph Olson said, “this was an amazing effort from our committee, sponsors, volunteers, and the local community. What we did in just twelve short weeks to help Ukraine is an unbelievable accomplishment, and I’m so proud of our team and giving community.”
This event would not have been possible without the support of the sponsors. The Platinum Sponsors: Luxury Lake Oconee Real Estate Group, Lake Country Medical Concierge, Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology, University Cancer & Blood Center, Ralph and Ginny Olson, and Lynn Wailes (Double-Platinum). Gold Sponsors: Greensboro Tire, Zapien’s Salon, Jimmy Britt Chevrolet Buick GMC, STROLL Reynolds Lake Oconee (formerly Inside the Gates), and The Kelly Family. Silver Sponsors: Brian Quinn – Coldwell Banker, Ethan Staats & John Dickson – Morgan Stanley, Max Space Self Storage, The Ware Financial Group of Wells Fargo, Micki Tanner and John Baird, Lanse and Christine Leach, Presbyterian Village, Oconee Brewing Co., Tim Cadiere, Shauna and Tom Winters, Susan Dufford, Elizabeth Madden, Scott Deering, Print & Sign Solutions, Jen and Den Riddle, and Linda and Bill Dudley.
For information on Lake Country Medical Aid for Ukraine, visit www.lakecountryaid.org and follow us for future micro-events.