Delmarva Artists for Ukrainian Relief

AUCTION HAS BEEN EXTENDED! We have received more items and want to be able to give everyone a fair chance at bidding. We will be adding to the auction dring the next few days, so please check back!

All auction item proceeds will go directly to aid Ukrainian Refugee efforts. Winners will be contacted by email with payment options. More item auctions to be added during the week, so check back often!

Frantic Frets Music and Antiques has teamed up with some local musicians, artists and businesses to help raise money locally to support a grassroots group of individuals who are providing direct relief at the borders of Ukraine.

The fundraising efforts are expected to raise at least $5,000 before the end of March. Money raised will go toward shelter, medical equipment and basic necessities for Ukrainian people who have been forced to leave their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. Local musicians have stepped up to help through a series of live and virtual performances for the cause. They will be collecting donations via these events through Thursday, March 31.

In the early days of the attack on Ukraine, people were seeking ways to help Ukrainians’ efforts. Local singer-songwriter Christine Havrilla stepped up and offered to do a virtual concert. Several years ago, her sister Angela was working in Ukraine, and she has kept in touch over the years with her former co-workers. Through Facebook, she saw they were heading to Ukraine’s border with Poland, and were raising money to help provide aid to refugees there. Angela shared the info with Christine, who met with DJ Sharon Messina and Mary Frantic to develop a series of events called Delmarva Artists for Ukrainian Relief, and to date, more than $3,000 has been raised to help the group overseas provide shelter, necessities and medical supplies.

"My heart goes out to Ukraine, and I just wanted to help in some way. That is best done for me via my music. When other Delmarva artists hopped on board, it made me hopeful that we could actually, specifically, aid the efforts of my sister's friend who is face to face with Ukrainian refugees in Poland. To help them in any way is very important during this terrible struggle,” said Havrilla. She kicked off the series of music events with a virtual concert March 10 and her passionate fans donated over $1,000.

Other in-person music events taking place Friday, March 18, are Darkes Band from 7 to 10 p.m. at Sussex Amvets Post 2 in Millsboro; GirlsRoom at Shrimpy’s in Rehoboth from 6 to 9 p.m.; Off 24 at Sydney’s in Milton from 6 to 9 p.m.; and Al Frantic at Milton Fox Hole in Milton from 6 to 8 p.m..

Bettenroo will play from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, March 19, at Big Chill Surf Cantina, 19406 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach.

Various musicians will play at SmashMouth Burgers next to Big Chill Surf Cantina, from 12 to 5 p.m., Sunday, March 27. The live-show musicians will collect tips to be donated to the relief effort.

SmashMouth Burgers owners Jamie and Nichole Parsons are donating 25% of all burger sales to the fund.

“SmashMouth Burgers are proud to stand behind Ukraine. Nichole and I are happy to work together with Al and Mary, and the many artists who have donated their time and talents to help a big cause in a small way,” said Jamie Parsons. “We hope you will all come out to support this effort on March 27. Oh, and come hungry!”

Live music in their newly opened Smash Lounge space will include performances by Cooper Max Drummer, Ken Schleifer, Tyler Greene, Williams Brothers and Al Frantic.

An online auction will run Sunday, March 20 to Sunday, April 3,2022, with items donated by several local artists and photographers. Among them will be a sketch of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy donated by Amy Salganik of Lewes. Other artists donating are Gandhi Hurwitz Photographic Artist of Sean Kelley Art and Friends in Rehoboth Beach, and Geri Dibiase Photography in Lewes. Donations will be collected during the event, and signed posters of the President Zelenskyy sketch by Amy Salganik will be available while supplies last. An acoustic-electric guitar and some experience items will also be on the auction block. The online auction will end at 5 p.m. Registration is required to be able to bid at 32auctions.com/Ukrainian-Relief.

To donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/delmarva-artists-for-ukrainian-relief

Funds will be donated to the Help Ukrainian Refugee Fund.
A boots-on-the-ground group of brave volunteers who are providing humanitarian relief to displaced victims fleeing Ukraine. They are helping the refugees at various borders to locate and pay for shelter and necessities.