Support Ukrainian humanitarian relief Oct. 31
Haywood County residents Donna and John Culp are helping humanitarian effort of Bomb Techs Without Borders. Attend the Ukrainian Fundraiser Oct. 31 at Maggie Valley Club and hear about their work. Donated photo
The community is invited to a Gatsby-style event, with a cause — supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. The fundraising event, from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, at Maggie Valley Club, will support the work of Bomb Techs Without Borders (BTWOB) and the organization’s goal of protecting Ukrainians from the thousands of unexploded munitions.
The evening will be festive, with a silent auction, music, dancing and 1920s era-costumes. Importantly, attendees will hear from Waynesville residents John and Donna Culp, who will share their experiences in Ukraine and work with BTWOB.
After reading about the Culps’ work in Ukraine, local residents Marilyn and David Lawson were moved to organize a fundraiser, which they did with the support of Maggie Valley Club and Grace Church in the Mountains.
John Culp went to Ukraine this spring as the in-country coordinator for BTWOB, working alongside the Ukrainian National Police to clear unexploded remnants of war. Donna joined him in Ukraine for several weeks, handling logistics for BTWOB.
“With the recent successful counteroffensive on the battlefield, Ukraine is recovering many villages and communities that have been occupied by the Russians for months,” John said. “Ukrainian citizens are anxious to return home, but one of our contacts there described that in some locations ‘the earth looks like biscuits’ from the quantity of buried landmines and other explosive remnants of war.”
The Culps are experts and humanitarians. John, a former Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, retired from the U.S. Army as a Lt. Col. in Special Forces; he continued working for the U.S. government as an explosives specialist. Donna, also retired from the federal government, is a former U.S. Air Force Captain, and president of the WNC Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.
BTWOB works with the Ukrainian National Police and Ukrainian military in training, advising, networking and developing new references to share lifesaving information and techniques among the EOD units in the country.
Tickets are limited; the $100 ticket includes hors d’oeuvres, one drink ticket, a raffle ticket and a donation to Bomb Techs Without Borders.
To RSVP for the fundraiser, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mail a check for tickets or donations to Grace Church in the Mountains, 394 N. Haywood St., Waynesville, NC 28786, Attn: Ukraine Fundraiser; on memo line of check, write Ukraine fundraiser.
