With the war happening in Ukraine, Karyn Scalise stated she felt helpless watching the news and wanted to raise funds to help in any way she could.  

With the plan to raise funds for Ukraine, Scalise created a supper and performance by Kateryna Grace, set for Friday, April 22 in Manitou Beach. 

The event is set to take place at Danceland, with the supper catered by Tb's Bar and Grill. 

The event starts with cocktails from 5:30 - 6:30, followed by supper from 6:30 - 8:30.

During the event, there will be a silent auction held as well as a 50/50 to help raise more funds for Ukraine.

“The amount of support we have received, especially from businesses in the Watrous / Manitou Beach area has just been phenomenal. There’s over fifty-five items ranging from beautiful hand-crafted jewelry to original art, wonderful gift packages for automotive services and foods, so there are fantastic silent auction items that have been donated,” stated Scalise. 

The night will end with a performance by Kateryna Grace, a 14-year-old singer from Saskatoon. 

“She performed fairly recently at a Humboldt Broncos game and sang both the Canadian and Ukrainian national anthem. She’s just amazing, and she’s got a new song out that she and her sister wrote called, Stand with Ukraine, and I recommend that people check that out.”

Scalise stated that proceeds from the event will be split amongst various charities, with her highlighting Stream of hopes, a charity based out of Saskatoon, and world central kitchen. 

“We’re really hoping here that it will be a starting point for future support that we can provide Ukraine. It’s going to be an evolving situation, there is going to be help needed for probably years and decades to rebuild Ukraine and help the people that are staying there. There is also going to be help needed on this side for displaced persons that are coming to Saskatchewan from Ukraine, and fleeing from the violence and horror there.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased at a variety of spots. Scalise recommends calling Danceland at (306) 946-2743, paying at the door, various spots in Watrous, or purchasing online. 

Tickets are $40 which includes the meal and all the entertainment for the event. 

Scalise knows some concerns may arise surrounding COVID, and stated she wants to create a safe place for everybody there.

“Masking is encouraged, it’s not mandatory, but we will have masks available if people want to wear them. We will have ample hand sanitizer at several spots within Danceland.”

Scalise wants to help as much as possible and is asking others to do the same surrounding the situation in Ukraine, whether that be donating to a reputable charity, volunteering, or helping out when you can. 

“It’s going to take a lot of people doing a lot of little things to make this happen,” stated Scalise, “If a family comes over here, take them to a garden centre, help them pick up some plants, run an errand for them, use your social media skills to help create a webpage, develop a facebook page. People can help in so many ways, they're probably not even aware of it. Just simple everyday tasks that people are already doing that can contribute to help.”