Suffolk Theater Raises $35,000 For Ukraine

On March 27, Suffolk Theater in Riverhead hosted “All For Ukraine,” a sold out concert benefit with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to three organizations providing relief efforts for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

The concert benefit raised $35,000 and featured performances by a wide variety of musicians from all across Long Island along with host Cindy Clifford, guest speakers Rev. Bohdan Hedz from St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Riverhead and Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar, a silent art auction coordinated by East End Arts Council, and a raffle auction of items donated from local businesses.

The evening included poignant performances by singer-songwriters Bryan Gallo, Cassandra House, Mark MK McLaughlin, and Taylor Barton; dancing along to music from The HooDoo Loungers, Kerry Kearney Band, Amber Ferrari, and Gene Casey & The Lone Sharks; iconic solos from Corky Laing and G.E. Smith; and one final number featuring all of the performers from the evening singing along with the audience to John Lennon’s “Give Peace A Chance”.

Everyone involved with the show — theater staff, performers, bartenders, wait staff, cleaning staff and more — worked for free so that every dollar raised from ticket sales and other donations could go directly to the cause. The organizations receiving the funds are: UNICEF for ensuring Ukraine’s children have access to safe water, nutrition, health care, education and protection; Doctors Without Borders to provide medical attention in Ukraine and neighboring countries where people have fled; and United Ukrainian American Relief Committee to purchase medical supplies and equipment to send to their contacts and volunteer network in Ukraine.

“To see the support from our Long Island community for this event has been nothing short of spectacular. Between all of those who bought tickets, the businesses that donated auction items, restaurants that donated food for the artists and crew, and even the companies that donated extra seats after the first time we sold out — this was a community effort on every level,” says Suffolk Theater’s Executive Director Gary Hygom. “You could feel the energy in the room — there was this mutual understanding that we were all doing what we could to help this deeply worthy cause. It was exciting, it was fun, it was emotional and it was a huge success.”