BUY TICKETS TO THIS WONDERFUL EVENT HERE!

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Chef Rocky Durham and his wife, Emmy Lou, sold their belongings and brought much-needed supplies to Ukrainian people struggling to defend their country. Nearly two years later… they are still there. They’ve been collecting donations to help local organizations and individuals do things as simple as get hats to soldiers in the freezing winters and as complex as rescuing animals left behind when civilians are evacuated, injured, or bombed out of their homes.

Natalie Bovis from The Liquid Muse Events is partnering with Nicole Ammerman of Santa Fe School of Cooking to create a fundraiser cocktail party and silent auction to help raise much-needed funds. Local chefs David Sellers of Horno and Cristian Pontiggia of Sassella will provide hors d’oeuvres, Vivac Winery is donating wine, included in the $55 ticket.

Fantastic silent auction items - such as restaurant gift certificates, a stunning piece of art from Linda Durham, a pet gift basket from Espanola Animal Shelter, and a home bar cocktail basket from The Liquid Muse - will make incredible holiday gifts for yourself or loved ones.

PRESS RELEASE

Local Culinary and Pet Community Help New Mexican Non-Profit Save People and Animals in Ukraine

100% of Proceeds from Cocktail Party and Silent Auction Going to Durham Humanitarian

Santa Fe, New Mexico, September 2023: The community is invited to support beloved local chef Rocky Durham and his wife Emmy Durham in their fight to help both humans and animals in war-torn Ukraine at a fundraiser cocktail party produced by The Liquid Muse Events, and hosted by Santa Fe School of Cooking on Thursday, November 16.

For nearly two years the Durhams have been living and working as humanitarian aid volunteers in Ukraine. Their efforts focus on helping refugees, Internally Displaced People and domestic animals affected by Russia’s war on Ukraine. Emmy and Rocky collect and distribute much needed medical supplies, raise money to purchase food, clothing and fund transportation for evacuations of people and animals. Their apartment in Lviv serves as a safehouse, warehouse and headquarters for their ongoing aid missions. They collaborate with many other grass-roots volunteer networks which greatly increases their efficiency and effectiveness.

 In 2023 Durham Humanitarian received 501c3, non-profit organization status. 100% of donations raised from this event are tax deductible and go directly towards funding their operation.

Rocky and Emmy will be in Santa Fe for a few days gathering supplies and speaking about their first-hand experiences and needs for the communities they help at the fundraiser.

Tickets are available to the public for $55 and will include appetizers from Chef Cristian Pontiggia of Sassella and Chef David Sellars of Horno. The event will also featured wine donated by Vivac Winery.

Further donation opportunities include placing bids in the silent auction featuring restaurant gift certificates, original artwork from former gallery owner Linda Durham’s private collection, cocktail lovers holiday gift basket from OM Chocolate Liqueur, Ukrainian art and souvenir gift basket, and a pet lovers gift basket from Espanola Humane Animal Shelter.

For those not able to attend the event, direct monetary donations can be made to Durham Humanitarian at https://go.rallyup.com/animalsinukraine/Event

For further information about the cocktail party fundraiser on November 16, contact: Natalie Bovis, natalie@theliquidmuse.com

For further information about Durham Humanitarian, contact: Rocky and Emmy Durham, chefrockydurham@gmail.com

BUY TICKETS TO THIS WONDERFUL EVENT HERE!