Local artists and musicians from Newburgh and beyond joined together for a day of music and comradery to raise money for the efforts in Ukraine.

On Sunday, March 13, the event known as USA For Ukraine was held at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.

This concert fundraiser was created by Mark Gamma, a lifelong resident of the City of Newburgh who is also of Ukrainian descent.
Seeing the current situation in Ukraine, Gamma wondered what he could personally do to help in the efforts.

With a background as a musician and actor and being in the entertainment industry for many years, Gamma decided to host a benefit concert in the City of Newburgh.

Gamma shared he is upset with the current situation overseas, but he is also proud of the efforts and resilience shown by the Ukrainian people.

“What’s going on there [Ukraine] right now is, is criminal,” Gamma said. “Being Ukrainian at this time is standing up and not giving up. They’re [Ukrainians] strong-willed people, they will not be intimidated.”

Funds and proceeds from the concert event will be donated and given to St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Campbell Hall. As of Tuesday $9,400 has been collected.

One of Gamma’s friends, Dan McKnight, performed with his band later on in the afternoon and was grateful to be a part of this event.
“Mark [Gamma] put the word out there and the phones just lit up,” McKnight said. “It’s always great to see people coming together like this. There’s so many musicians in the area.”

During the course of the day, musicians and soloists performed a variety of original work and their own interpretations of popular songs.

Artists and bands included No Recess, Tony DePaolo, Oxford Station Band, Carrie Zazz, Steel, Alice Leon, Jim Gagliano Trio, Joe Pag and Johnny Salami, Doctor Magkneetoe, Dead Center, Richard Baratta Latin City Jazz and Dr. Rockslyde.

City of Newburgh resident Paul Ernenwein shared that he was happy to be present at this benefit event surrounded by fellow community members unified in an effort to support the Ukrainian people.

Assemblyman Colin Schmitt [D-99] made an appearance at the venue in support of the local efforts. “It’s beautiful to see Newburgh and the larger Hudson Valley community come together to support the Ukrainian people,” Schmitt said.

A sergeant in the United States Army National Guard, Schmitt shared that several of his colleagues had been in Ukraine recently on peace missions. With this in mind, he offered words of support for the on-going efforts.

“We pray for the safety of the American and NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] troops and forces who are in the general eastern European area as well as the men and women of Ukraine who have taken up arms to defend their country and to defend freedom in their country,” Schmitt said.