Planina Raises over $8k in Humanitarian Relief for Ukraine

Maitreyi Prajna

It is with much appreciation that Planina can report our 2022 fundraising to benefit World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) #ChefsForUkraine was a huge success. With your help, we raised over $8,000 in humanitarian aid to help people from Ukraine whose lives have been devastated by the war. This was through a combination of ticket sales, other contributions made directly to Planina toward this cause, and donations at our special fundraising page on WCK’s site.

Ever since the war began, we felt an urgency to help. We channeled our heartache into a self-produced August 20 concert in Boulder to support humanitarian relief. It was such a success and so rewarding to us and our audience that we decided to pull together a second show in Denver, which we presented on October 15.

This cause remains intensely personal to us, not only because both Ukraine and Russia represent folklore we treasure, but also because members of Planina have family in these countries. Each show was an expression of our love for these regions and the deep concern we continue to feel for everyone who has been affected by the war.

One reflection from an audience member was particularly meaningful: “I thought the concert was so holistic. You talked a little bit about the region where each song originated. I think it helped the audience understand that it’s a whole big, interconnected region, with many ethnic groups whose lives and troubles are overlapping right now.”

Thanks to you, we were humbled and pleased to be able to contribute $8260 to WCK by the end of October 2022. Working at a 24-hour pedestrian border crossing in southern Poland, WCK began serving hot, nourishing meals within hours of the initial invasion and continues to serve people across the region in Romania, Moldova, and Hungary. Additionally, they are partnering with restaurants inside Ukraine to get hot meals to anyone in need.

As we reflect on nearly 13 months since the invasion, Planina will continue to offer solidarity to community members here with Ukrainian and/or Russian roots and families still living in those countries. We feel that it is perhaps more important than ever to shine a light on the cultural treasures that these countries offer the world. Our 2022 concerts in Boulder in Denver explored the rich traditions and cultures of this region, and we hope brought a little joy to an otherwise sorrowful year.

Click here to read the latest information about WCK’s work in the area. Thank you to all of our friends and fans for joining hearts and hands with Planina in support of this very worthy cause.

- Planina