Chicagoans pack Salt Shed to benefit Ukraine

Philanthropists Tanya Polsky, Cari Sacks and Robin Tebbe hosted a fundraiser to benefit Ukraine at the Salt Shed on May 30. The night included a briefing on the war presented by U.S. Army and Marine Veterans who have provided direct humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The evening raised funds for Operation White Stork, a U.S. Veteran-led nonprofit organization that delivers life-saving medical aid kits (IFAKs) and equipment directly to the frontlines as well as provide evacuation support.

The evening began with a buffet, cocktails, and mingling. Guests included many bold-faced names who enjoyed pre-program music by the Chicago Bandura Ensemble, made up of Ukrainian band members. Marianna Kulikova, a Lyric Opera member, sang the Ukrainian national anthem before emcee Hal Weizman, introduced the speakers.

U.S. Marine veteran William McNulty (head of mission for White Stork), U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman and Max Cormier, U.S. Army and deputy head of operations, all spoke at the event. Cormier, who helped deliver supplies to the front lines, shared, “I think we have to stop the Russian aggression in Ukraine. Otherwise, if they take Ukraine, they’re not gonna stop there. They will come for us.”

Vindman said, “Governments have fallen short consistently in their support because of the ‘Russia factor.’ We put Russia above other important relationships because of its nuclear arsenal.”

McNulty told the audience that White Stork only delivers kits to “end users” to ensure that the kits are put directly into the hands of people who are fighting. At the start of the war, White Stork managed one of the largest evacuation programs in Ukraine, safely transporting 37, 829 women, children, and elderly to government reception centers in Poland. The nonprofit provides non-lethal assistance and humanitarian aid. They do not provide weapons or ammunition.

A video presentation showed before and after photos of sites in the Ukraine and how they have been damaged by bombing.

During a Q & A, McNulty added, “The kits help save lives but what will really win the war are drones- simple DGI Chinese-made MAVIC 3 drones. What the Ukrainians are doing on the battlefield with these things is incredible. This is the super bowl of drones right now. It’s the first full-scale drone war that we’ve seen.”

The Salt Shed, an indoor/outdoor music venue that was formerly the Morton Salt site, opened last summer at 1357 N. Elston. Owner Craig Golden was the evening’s event sponsor. (For more info or to donate, visit whitestork.us)