Fundraising Helps Thousands Evacuate to Safety

Robert Diamond ’83 has expanded his role of being a “Man for Others” far beyond the Fairfield Prep community. Diamond studied business during his collegiate career at Villanova, and now runs Diamond Law Center, LLC, in Pennsylvania. Today, he resides in Puerto Rico.

In April 2022, he and a close friend organized a fundraiser to provide support and relief to Ukrainian civilians. They teamed up with Fr. Timothy Howe, President of their local, Puerto Rican Jesuit high school, “Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola,” to achieve their noble mission. Father Tim spoke at their event, and donations met incredible numbers. Initially, donations were sent directly to “Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola,” yet were soon shifted from the school to Jesuit Refugee Services in Poland.

Diamond’s fundraiser raised over $700,000, namely for refugee evacuation from Ukraine to Poland. In the span of his project, 28,409 Ukrainians were evacuated from the country, including men, women and children. From June 12 to 18, 2022, approximately half of the evacuated civilians were women. Moreover, refugees did not exclude any furry friends as 1,144 pets were successfully transported and kept alongside their families.

Profits from the fundraiser also contributed to running buses from Kiev, Ukraine, to a Jesuit high school in Krakow, Poland. These buses ran daily and were free of charge for refugees. During that same period, buses ran at a frequency of about three to five per day; vans and cars transported refugees as well. Once buses arrived at the Poland high school, Jesuit Refugee Services gave the refugees plentiful aid and resources, including proper housing, counseling, legal assistance obtaining Visas, and a “push towards their next destination.”

Diamond’s project raised over $700,000. The evacuation helped 28,409 people and 1,144 pets leave Ukraine.

Overall, 16,650 people were provided housing in AirBnbs. Some of the most popular housing countries were Spain, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands and Germany. Evidently, Poland housed over a quarter, 27.6%, of refugees. People were evacuated from a vast array of Ukrainian regions as well. Kharkiv Oblast removed the most refugees, hitting 280 Ukrainians, however Dnipropetrovsk Oblast was not too far behind it, saving 232 Ukrainians.

This operation certainly did not discriminate by age. The oldest woman evacuated was 86 years old, the oldest man 85, and youngest child one-month-old.

With help from other organizations, the project moved over 36,000 Ukrainians safely to Poland. Diamond is proving himself as a valuable role model for our younger Prep generations, demonstrating the importance of making a difference in times of need.

Holiday Basketball Classic

Prep Alumni enjoyed a reception at “The Diffley” hospitality concourse in the new Mahoney Arena at Fairfield University on Dec. 27, 2022. Alumni going back decades reconnected while cheering on the Jesuits in the Prep Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament.

Latin Scholars Annual Luncheon

The “Latin Scholars” Christmas Lunch for Alumni took place on Dec. 12 at the Gaelic American Club in Fairfield. This annual lunch is open to all Prep alumni, and raises funds for the Rev. Thomas Murphy, S.J., and Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., scholarships. John Chiota ’61 was honored as the Latin Scholars “Man of the Year.” See photo below with his sons, from left: Greg Chiota ’93, John Chiota ’61, John Chiota ’86 and Chris Chiota ’89

A Prep San Franciscan Night

Fairfield Prep Alumni in San Francisco enjoyed a dinner reception generously hosted by Board of Governor member Ed Gormbley ’95 and his wife Catherine. Pres. Christian Cashman and Vice president for Advancement Rob Cottle joined the reception in a much-appreciated appearance. This Prep on the Road event was a great opportunity for alumni to connect with others in the area!