As this year’s grand finale event “The Big Meet” is being prepared in Runka on December 15th, Kyiv Post is the owner and organizer of the number one networking event for expats and locals in Kyiv It was an honor to have a conversation with Olga Kali.
Find out Olga’s insight into venue selection, her latest charity choice and exciting plans for the 2024 ‘Big Meet’.
Uncover the festive spirit and heartwarming intentions behind the ‘Big Meat’ at Lunka.
Click here for event details, including geolocation and other information.
Olga, why did you choose Runka as the venue for the Big Meet Grand Finale in 2023?
Lunka was a deliberate choice. The first and most famous bootlegger in Kherson he opened in 2015 and operated until the premises were taken over by Russian troops.
In the spring of 2023, the founders, bartenders and chefs came together to open a new location in Kiev. Today, Lunca operates as a bar with a cozy courtyard in the center of Kiev. [people] You are always welcome.
Runka embodies the resilience, fortitude and boundless love of Ukrainians for their work. The people of Lungka did not give up. They restarted because they are passionate about what they do. In the same spirit, “The Big Meet” has also restarted its events, allowing all Ukrainians to get back to doing what they love and are passionate about.
The purpose of this event is to increase HR. 30,000 [$800] NE SAMI For charity. Can you tell us more about why you chose to support this charity and the impact you hope to achieve with the funds raised?
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NE SAMI (Ukr Not Alone) is an organization that provides quality systematic support in the evacuation and further adaptation of civilians from frontline areas.
The idea came about when volunteer Oleksandra Saharuk saw that many people were unable to leave these places because they had no money, had nowhere to go, or were afraid of losing their homes. Was born.
Existing support from the government was not enough. Therefore, NE SAMI was established to provide people with a complete solution, from finding a new home to settling in.
Here’s how they work: They share information about programs, speak to people in areas close to conflict areas, and assist with relocation taking into account their specific needs. They work with housing organizations and villages to find long-term housing for those people. When someone is discharged from the hospital, they receive support from a care manager for 6 to 12 months and receive a range of supports to ease their new life.
In just eight months, NE SAMI has visited 32 locations, helped relocate more than 200 people, and currently supports 103 people in its program. They also have other projects to help everyone adapt better, such as camps for children and programs for adults.
So, for our next event, we have a heartfelt goal of increasing Hr. $30,000 to create Christmas boxes for displaced residents. These special boxes are intended to bring warmth and joy to people who have gone through difficult times.
This idea is simple but powerful. To 100 people he offers 100 boxes. Contributing to this cause allows our community to come together to share the spirit of the season and positively impact the lives of displaced families during the holiday season. It’s an opportunity to give warmth and support to those who really need it.
Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to achieving our goal and bringing holiday cheer to those in need.
As The Big Meet bids farewell in 2023, can you share any notable accomplishments or milestones from this year’s events so far that you’re particularly proud of?
surely! One of the most notable achievements has been the successful resumption of events. To be honest, we did not expect so many people to attend and that this gathering would have such an impact on people. It’s been really heartening to see the community come together in ways I never imagined.
What makes me even more proud is that we were able to provide meaningful support to charities through these events. Through 10 meetings, we were able to donate a large amount of 103,000 hours. [$2,800]. We are thrilled that our platform serves not only as a space for connection, but also as a means to bring about positive change in the lives of people in need.
Moreover, our efforts extend beyond financial contributions. We have been actively promoting these charities, raising awareness of their causes and connecting some charities with potential donors. The Big Meet is a place for positive change, fostering connections that go beyond the event and making a lasting impact on the charities we support. We look forward to continuing this journey of making a difference next year.
Do you have any exciting plans or new initiatives for The Big Meet in 2024? Are there any specific areas or themes you would like to explore, or changes to the format or size of the event that attendees can look forward to? ?
Looking ahead to 2024, we are very excited about the prospects of “The Big Meet.” One of our greatest wishes is to continue to provide joy and togetherness even in the difficult context of war. The event will continue and we have no plans to change the format that our attendees enjoy.
As we celebrate our 6th birthday in February, we look back on our incredible journey and look forward to celebrating this milestone with our community.
We look forward to continuing to enter into partnerships that align with our values. In particular, we aim to support local Ukrainian brands and companies.
Additionally, we are excited to establish connections with foreign-owned businesses, enriching the diversity of our events and creating opportunities for cross-cultural exchange. The year ahead holds great promise and we are excited to embark on this journey with our participants and partners.
If you would like to support this cause and donate to NE SAMI, you can do so. here.
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