Greensboro Organizing Auction for Children of Ukraine

by David Kelley, Community Journalist

GREENSBORO – This year Greensboro’s Funky Fourth, set for Saturday, July 2, will feature an auction to raise money for Ukrainian relief via Save the Children (STC). The auction will immediately follow the Funky Fourth Parade. Greensboro Town Moderator Tim Nesbit will act as auctioneer for the event. Food and refreshments will be available. 

Greensboro summer resident Brad Irwin is chairman of the board for STC; a major source of aid to Ukraine. Irwin’s position affords local residents a special look into the needs of Ukranians and STC’s efforts to assist millions of refugees and displaced families in Ukraine’s towns and cities. 

Organizers of the event hope to raise $5,000 to directly help STC efforts in Ukraine. Organizers are asking the public to search their attics and cellars for potential auction items with a goal to collect 100 items in good condition worth at least $50 each. Organizers are also seeking craftspeople, sailors and others who might donate a day of sailing or products of their time and energy to the auction.

In 1994, following the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine agreed to give up all nuclear arms on

Ukrainian territory. In exchange, Russia, the United States and Great Britain signed the Budapest

Memorandum guaranteeing Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, described by President Biden as “genocide”, reduced Ukrainian cities to rubble and left millions of refugees fleeing the carnage of war. 

Chair of Greensboro’s Select Board Peter Romans encouraged residents not to feel hopeless about the situation in Ukraine. 

“Hopelessness can be an enemy as lethal as missiles and tanks,” Romans said. 

People with items to donate should contact David Kelley at (802) 586-2588 or email davidkelley05602@gmail.com.