fxbg4ukraine:sister cities joint fundraiser

fxbg4ukraine

a Sister cities fundraiser

As news reports vividly described the horrific toll that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was taking on its citizens, members of Fredericksburg ' s four SisterCity Associations felt called to do what they could to help. Representatives of cityto-city partnerships with Este, Italy, Schwetzingen, Germany, and Kathmandu, Nepal, readily responded when Craig Vasey, president of the Fréjus (France) Sister City proposed a collaborative fundraiser that would address the critical needs of the Ukrainian people for medical care, food, and children ' s welfare.

Art Auction and Reception Since June, sister-city representatives have met with Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw and special assistant Brenda Martin to develop a detailed plan for the benefit, which would include an online auction of artwork donated by a spectrum of Fredericksburg talented and compassionate artists. The auction would climax with a reception at the Fredericksburg Library, including a concert featuring local and Ukrainian musicians on Sunday, October 23 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The featured musicians at the reception will be Fredericksburg's beloved Harry Wilson and artist/musician Steve Kuzma whose parents were born in Ukraine and carried the lifelong trauma of the Russian occupation, which Steve says was palpable throughout his boyhood. His deep compassion for the people of Ukraine and commitment to address their plight motivated his creation of 75 paintings whose proceeds he dedicated to address their medical needs. One of these will be contributed to the Fredericksburg auction-the image of a dove which he says connotes a flight toward light and peace and out of chaos. Tickets for the reception are $50, with all proceeds going to support the Ukrainian people. Online and early ticket purchase is encouraged, as the library's theater has a limited capacity of 300. The artists' works could be viewed throughout the preceding week and will conclude at 4:00 pm on the day of reception where winning bids will be announced and celebrated.

Sponsors Ongoing outreach is being made to individuals and businesses in the community who would support the event as sponsors at one of four levels, whose generosity would greatly augment the support that is given to the people of

Ukraine. Sponsors will be acknowledged at the reception and in publicity material. Enthusiastic Volunteers As plans for the fund-raiser developed, the sister city folks enthusiastically took on tasks ranging from marketing and messaging and securing artists and performers to set-up and clean-up at the reception. Husband and wife teams of Chip and Kathryn Willis took on roles of Treasurer and Communications facilitator, and Lynn and Ernie Ackermann offered their experience with fundraising, auction coordination, and Internet and computer science. Craig's wife Wendy Vasey and fellow Liberty Town artist Betsy Glassie volunteered to contact artists who might donate one of their creations. Lisa Durham's vast experience with fundraising events and community service has been an invaluable asset to the effort, as was the committed dedication of Doris Mullis. In addition, Mats Jerndal of OddBox Studios and Robert Meunier of HiVibe Audio Productions generously and enthusiastically brought their audio-video expertise in service to fundraiser. Proceeds from the auction, reception, donations, and sponsorships will reach the people of Ukraine through three established nonprofits that have been serving effectively in the country: Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, and Save the Children.

By collette caprara

Those wishing to serve as sponsors or volunteers should contact FXBG4Ukraine@gmail.com. "Friendship and compassion do not recognize miles or time zones. As always, our generous Fredericksburg community is reaching out to those in distress," said Mayor Greenlaw. "What we all witnessed at the beginning of this horrific war in the Ukraine and continue to see today has touched all of us," said Doris Mullis. "It is heart-wrenching to see the destruction, the heartache of people dying, and the displacement of families and mothers fleeing with their children to neighboring countries with nothing but the clothes on their backs, without knowing whether or not the country they have loved and lived in their whole lives will continue to exist." "I was, of course, drawn by human empathy to the Ukrainians, but the need truly came home when I visited our sister city, Este, Italy, this April." said Kathryn Willis. "Este holds a large Flower Festival annually, and there was a Ukrainian family selling hanging baskets of flowers and geraniums ornamented with blue and yellow ribbons. This extended family had been uprooted from a village in eastern Ukraine, and were staying in a second home of an Este family in the mountains near Italy's Hungarian border. The family, slumped and preoccupied, seemed listless. But what truly moved me was a young teenage boy, his fresh face with tiny pimples and a wisp of fine beard. He sat in the back of the booth, with sagging shoulders, looking out with glazed eyes and an out-of-focus stare, and seemed so lost. It moved me to tears." "Every day we hear of the continued battle going on in Ukraine as they bravely fight off the aggression brought by Russia through no fault of their own. It stirs my compassion and admiration in equal measure. I'm happy to have an opportunity to help in some small way," said Lisa Durham. "I hope everyone will come and join us for a fun evening together as one community to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and show, once again, Fredericksburg's heart and generosity."

Collette Caprara is a local writer and artist and, with her husband David is a founding member of the FredericksburgKathmandu sister city.

FXBG 4 UKRAINE Art Auction and Reception Artwork can be viewed and bids can be made from October 16 through October 23 4:00 pm. http://www.fxbg4ukraine.org Reception: Sunday, October 23, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Reception tickets are $50 and can be purchased at http://www.fxbg4ukraine.org email fxbg4ukraine@gmail.com

Ryan J. Cudahy Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Rita Allan Sally Cooney Anderson Amy Bayne Laurie Black Dianne Bachman Sonja Cantu Collette Caprara Theresa Cramer Ryan J. Cudahy Janet Douberly Betty Emrey Frank Fratoe Bill Freehling Daniel H. Gillison Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks Jon Gerlach David C. Kennedy Jill Laiacona Anne-Tilley Melson Ray Mikula Vanessa Moncure Laura Moyer Pete Morelewicz Patrick Neustatter ML Power Gerri Reid Paula Raudenbush Suzanne Carr Rossi Rob Rudick Savannah Steblein Mandy Smith Tim Talbott Anne Timpano Christine Thompson Rim Vining Tina Will Norma Woodward

Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co. Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher.

The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg is to connect the diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg with lively features and informative columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource, its people.

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ON THE PORCH

fxbg destination for film production

by ryan j. cudahy

Before I called Fredericksburg my home, I worked in Richmond on a TV series called Swagger. Swagger was one of four major film and television productions in Virginia for 18 months; the others were The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Raymond and Ray, and Dopesick. According to the Virginia Film Office, the total direct spend of these productions, to the state and local economy, was $160 million. I was fortunate enough to witness the spend of these productions, as every day, the production team behind Swagger poured money into caterers, tent and generator rentals, and locations. I witnessed firsthand the economic impact of production in Virginia.

When I arrived in Fredericksburg last year, I fell in love with the history and possibilities of this gorgeous city. As I began writing about local businesses, economic development, and upcoming events, I recognized the achievements of Fredericksburg, as well as its potential. Fredericksburg is a proud city. There is so much we can accomplish here, including establishing the city as a destination for film production. You heard me right: we can bring, and are bringing, film to Fredericksburg.

Locations for productions are not only determined by which settings serve the best look. Locations are mainly determined by the financial incentives granted by each state. Georgia for instance, offers approximately $800 million per year to production companies to shoot in the state. The economic impact from film production in Georgia has been up to $9.2 billion in a single year. Contrast the economic impact in Georgia with Virginia, whose impact in 2019 was $862 million.

Does Virginia's economic impact seem low compared to Georgia's? It is low, as Virginia's film incentives are capped at $10.5 million. It has set our commonwealth behind in regard to the benefits, from an economic and tourism standpoint, compared to not just Georgia, but states such as New York ($420 million/year), Louisiana ($150 million/year), and North Carolina ($31/year). I have been a staunch proponent of raising the Virginia incentives, having met with countless state delegates to pass through legislation that will raise the cap. And while the cap for incentives has not been raised, I have received the support of many delegates who agree on this issue. How, though, does this involve our city of Fredericksburg? What does Fredericksburg have to do with film incentives? In May, I spoke before the E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t Authority (EDA) about the previously mentioned economic impact of four productions in Virginia: $160 million. If Fredericksburg had hosted 5% of that production, the local economy would have seen an impact of $8 million. That is my goal. I want to bring 5% of yearly Virginia production to our wonderful city. That is why, back in May, the EDA approved a Film Incentives Program that offers financial reimbursements to eligible productions that shoot, and spend money, in Fredericksburg.

1Why did I launch this Film Incentives Program in Fredericksburg? Because I believe in this city. I believe that bringing film production here will stimulate our already growing economy, and support countless local businesses. If a production is in need of food options, so many of our delicious, renowned restaurants can cater for them. If a production needs lodging for cast and crew, our hotels can provide those rooms. Locations will be paid for their time and business, and permits will be bought. There are so many businesses that will benefit from film production in Fredericksburg, and I am excited for them to thrive.

I also believe that Fredericksburg will benefit from Film Tourism. Film Tourism occurs when people visit the locations of their favorite films and TV shows. For instance, if a film were to hypothetically shoot at Foode, perhaps people, while visiting Fredericksburg, will swing by to take photos after the film is released. Perhaps they will have lunch at Foode as well. Foode, in this scenario, has been directly impacted by Film Tourism. Many localities in Virginia have experienced 150% economic growth from Film Tourism alone. With potential from the Film Incentives Program, locations in Fredericksburg can experience this growth as well.

In the past year, I have been thrilled to witness such vast economic expansion in Fredericksburg. I know that under the Film Incentives Program, Fredericksburg will grow even further in its economy and tourism. I cannot wait to see how we can bring film to Fredericksburg, and cannot wait to witness the impact it will bring to our beloved town.

That's a wrap! Read Front Porch cover-to-cover

Ryan J. Cudahy is the Marketing Assistant for FXBG Dept of Economic Development & Tourism