CONTACT:
Barrett Kinsella
bkinsella@hillsborova.gov
540.486.8001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UKRAINE EMBASSY OFFICIALS TO ATTEND HILLSBORO CONCERT TO SUPPORT UKRAINE RELIEF ON THE GAP STAGE SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Art Auction for Relief offers more than 50 works donated by internationally and nationally acclaimed artists during event, presented by the Town of Hillsboro and the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation.

Hillsboro, VA, March 29, 2022—The First Secretary of the Ukraine Embassy, Kateryna Smagliy and Ukraine-America Foundation President Nadia McConnell, will be joined by U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton and other officials at the UkraineAid Concert in The Gap to raise funds to support relief efforts for the people of Ukraine. The Town of Hillsboro, in partnership with the non-profit Hillsboro Preservation Foundation, is presenting the event on The Gap Stage, starting at 5 p.m. on April 2.

“We are so pleased to have First Secretary Smagliy and Representative Wexton join us on Saturday,” said Hillsboro Mayor Roger Vance. “The outpouring of support from our community has been awesome, leading the embassy and other Ukrainian organizations to request to attend and express their appreciation.”

In addition to the scheduled musical performances, Vance said, “We also have an extraordinary collection of artworks from more than 50 outstanding artists around the country who have donated pieces—a number inspired by war—for a silent auction throughout the day inside the Old Stone School.” He said the art can be previewed at OldStoneSchool.org. “And, we have had a local family’s offer to match—dollar for dollar up to $5,000–donations for Ukraine that are made via our donation website.”

Hillsboro Preservation Foundation President Amy Marasco said all net proceeds and donations collected will be directed to two leading relief organizations, Save the Children and the World Central Kitchen, that are working on the ground assisting Ukraine refugees in neighboring countries and those still inside Ukraine.

Performers for the UkraineAid concert include Calgary, The Talton Brothers, Joey & The Waitress, Out of The Coop, Jim Steele, and Mike McCabe. Vance said the concert’s finale by Young Voices for Peace “Will be a message of hope—especially for the millions of children displaced in this war—a moving performance not to be missed.” A candlelight vigil will immediately follow, said Vance. He added that the UkraineAid stage backdrop is being painted by the students at Hillsboro Charter Academy.

Marasco said, “The outpouring of support and generosity from our musicians, businesses and schoolchildren—on such short notice—is inspiring.” She noted the roster of supporters and vendors continues to grow. Major donors and service providers include the Cooley-Dooley Foundation, Jeff Darby and OHM Productions, artist Chip Beck, Superlative Events, Purcellville Copy, Signs by Design and Western Loudoun Community Church.

“Our area food and craft beer and wind providers have also stepped up in a big way,” Marasco said. Vendors and suppliers for the event include Hillsboro’s Doukénie Winery, Old 690 Brewing Company, Two-Twisted Posts Winery, and Ford’s Fish Shack and Kovi Kitchen food trucks. The soon-to-be-open Market in The Gap restaurant will be firing up its pizza oven just across the street from The Gap Stage, and Moo-Thru Ice Cream will also be on site.

“We are looking forward to a great day in Hillsboro,” said Mayor Vance, “a day that is both materially and spiritually uplifting for the people of Ukraine.”