By Eileen Wingard
SAN DIEGO — Yael Gmach is talented both as a visual artist–proprietor of Once Upon A Frame and Art Gallery—and as a vocal artist—the chanteuse of Big Boss Bubeleh, which she partners with her real-life partner, guitarist Vlady Yarovinsky. Yael also has a heart of gold, as exemplified by the fundraiser she hosted outside her gallery at 132 Cliff St., Solana Beach on June 11.
Yael is quick to say that the idea for this event came from fellow art gallery owner and activist, Cindy Blumkin. Together, they were able to enlist the help of Natalie Moores, who tapped Rob Reinhart’s 23-year-old Maya Relief Foundation to collect the funds solicited. A special branch of the foundation was formed for Ukrainian relief so that all contributions were tax deductible and, with no overhead, 100% went directly to those refugees in San Diego County.
Two hundred guests came to this FUN-D-Raiser to meet, support and provide help for local Ukrainian refugees. Present were a number of Ukrainian mothers and their children. Most of the husbands were left behind to fight the Russian invasion. It was a happy event, with authentic Ukrainian food, catered by Pomegranate Restaurant, and joyous entertainment by Big Boss Bubeleh. Vlady, a native of Ukraine, sang Ukrainian songs, while Yael sang in a variety of languages.
Natalie Moores, whose father was still in Ukraine when hostilities broke out, delivered remarks, describing her efforts to enlist the help of politicians to get her father out and to Tijuana. She worked tirelessly for the humanitarian parole exemption which allowed her father and other Ukrainian refugees to cross into the United States.
Yael, Cindy and Natalie managed to gather a large number of items for the silent auction. The fundraiser successfully raised $30,000..
A sample of the gratitude from the recipients is illustrated by this note from one of the Ukrainian refugee families:
“Our family, me, my wife Tanya and my little 5-year-old daughter Anya, spent 40 days in Mariupol under endless shelling. Russian troops destroyed our city almost completely, we lost everything, work, house, car, business. We were made homeless, with no future. But We were able to escape from this horror. I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to you Natalie and to all the caring people who collected this help for us! For us, this is a huge amount! – Friends, I do not know you personally, but I know for sure that you are very good people, you have big and kind hearts! Your help for us is not just money, but the realization that we are surrounded by kind people who are not indifferent to the fate of people in trouble. We feel your support and it becomes easier in our hearts! Rest assured that we are not alone here! Once again, thank you very much. Your help means a lot to us! Without it, it would be very difficult for us!”
Anyone wishing to contribute to this foundation can go to the website: www.helpaukrainianfamily.com
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Eileen Wingard is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.