Local Volunteer to Share Experiences from Ukraine at Pine Hill Event

PINE HILL – A Halcott Center resident who has completed three volunteer tours in Ukraine will share his experiences supporting aid and relief efforts during a special event at the Pine Hill Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m.

Michael DiBenedetto will give a talk about his time volunteering for non-governmental organizations in Ukraine, where he assisted with a variety of tasks, including driving and repairing vehicles, preparing and distributing food, and evacuating displaced people and abandoned animals.

In addition to his direct service, DiBenedetto has raised thousands of dollars to purchase three vehicles, including an ambulance, and to deliver food and medical supplies to the region. He will share stories and photos from his travels, offering a firsthand account of the Ukrainian people's spirit, generosity, and resilience in the face of the ongoing Russian invasion.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will also feature two speakers joining via live video to provide further context on the situation.

Jonathan Lan, a frontline medical evacuation volunteer, will speak from Ukraine about his experiences, the current conditions, and his organization's need for support. From Paris, David A. Andelman, an author and longtime global politics reporter for outlets including CNN, The New York Times, and CBS News, will discuss the role the United States and other countries have played in supporting Ukraine.

The event aims to inform the community about the ongoing conflict and provide ways for individuals to help in the defense of Ukraine. The Pine Hill Community Center is located at 287 Main Street.