Sunriver restaurant, buoyed by support, is giving all of one night’s proceeds to help people of Ukraine
(Update: Adding video, comments from those involved)
Restaurant all booked for event, but you can give directly to causes
SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) -- "Ukraine is a sovereign nation that deserves to be free, and whatever we can to do to help them, we should," the owner of Marcello's Cucina Italiana in Sunriver, Thaddeus Lodge, said Monday.
Marcello's Cucina Italiana is a Sunriver restaurant that has deep ties with the Ukrainian community in Central Oregon.
With a heavy heart and the desire to help, Lodge said the restaurant will hold a fundraiser Wednesday, where 100% of the proceeds and tips will go to the Ukrainian people fighting for their country.
"Everybody’s on board," Lodge said. "The employees are going to be working for free, and the outpouring of support from the community has been so impressive.”
Within the first few days of posting about the fundraiser, the restaurant gained 145 reservations.
Lodge said over the years, Ukrainians have made up a significant part of his staff, which have evolved into life-long friendships.
He shared the importance of standing in solidarity with Ukraine through this difficult time.
“This means so much to me and my family," said Alina Jacobs, who occasionally helps the restaurant in its marketing efforts.
Jacobs was born and raised in Cherkasy, Ukraine, 120 miles south of Kyiv. She started working at Marcello’s in 2012, after moving to Bend.
"I still have my parents, my grandparents, and all my close college friends are still there," Jacobs said.
She constantly checks air-raid alerts and worries about their well-being.
"It breaks my heart that this is happening -- but at the same time, I'm filled with pride and hope," Jacobs said. "I'm confident that the will of the Ukrainian people shines bright and will prevail in the face of darkness."
Maksym Nozdrin is a former employee, born and raised in Trostianets, Ukraine, located six hours northeast of Kyiv, on the Russian border, where his parents live. He moved to the US in 2016, and worked for Marcello's up until last month.
He recounts the recent events his parents shared with him.
“Russian soldiers robbing the stores -- they’re getting drunk, they’re shooting into the windows," Nozdrin said.
Despite the emotional hardships he's working through as his family faces this a life-threatening reality, he said he's thankful for Central Oregon's community efforts and the upcoming fundraiser.
"If one small family-owned restaurant in Sunriver, Oregon can drum up this much support, imagine what Central Oregon as a community can do," Lodge said.
He posted the following to Marcello's Facebook page:
"Like all of you, we are deeply saddened by the unprovoked Russian attack on a free and sovereign Ukraine. We grieve for the unnecessary loss of life and wanton destruction of Ukraine’s beautiful cities. Our hearts go out to all Ukrainians abroad and to those who are part of our Marcello’s family and Central Oregon community."
Marcello’s will be holding a special event on Wednesday in which 100% of the proceeds and tips will be donated to support the brave men and women of Ukraine who are fighting for their country.
As of Monday, dinner reservations are already fully booked for the event. However, you have the option to donate to selected platforms directly in support of Ukrainian people. You can contribute at the following links:
Ukraine's Armed Forces (https://bank.gov.ua/.../natsionalniy-bank-vidkriv...)
UNICEF https://www.unicefusa.org/.../unicef-children.../39542
Doctors without Bordershttps://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/.../countries/ukraine
Red Cross https://www.icrc.org/.../wher.../europe-central-asia/ukraine
