Within days after the war started in February, 2022, my parents started to help Ukraine.    They would organize donation drives, collect medical supplies and ship them to Ukraine.  I have been involved with them from the day 1.   Recently they organized a charity, Helping Hands for Ukraine.  This week (July 2024), we are packing our 50th shipment.  So far we have shipped over 20,000 lbs of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

In order to pay for shipping and to buy medical supplies, my family has been organizing concerts.  We have been fortunate to meet a lot of talented musicians who have been donating their time to this cause.  It is during those concerts that I met a band of young musicians – Jovto.  They invited me to play viola with them, and since then, I have been hooked on doing improv on my viola

It is very heart warming and rewarding to see photos of the aid received in Ukraine.  The faces of people say it all.  During those moments, we know all the hard work is worth it.