Last Bell, Crackers Comedy Club come together to help
In one of those moments of kismet, two people were in the right place at the right time to put together a fundraising event for Last Bell Ministries and their ongoing work in Ukraine: A night of side-splitting laughter at Crackers Comedy Club, 207 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis.
Klein
Tomorrow night, April 21, all the proceeds from the event – featuring Dave Wilson and headlining comedian Mark Klein – will go directly to Last Bell.
Founded by a young woman from Noblesville, Last Bell Ministries has for the last 15 years served orphanage graduates in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. That’s about two hours west of Kyiv. Throughout the years, Last Bell has grown to employ 16 indigenous Ukrainian staff who have given their life to helping heal the early trauma so many of the orphaned youth have experienced growing up in institutions.
Jennie Auble reached out to the Reporter about this fundraiser and arranged for the newspaper speak both to Crackers Comedy Club Owner Ruth-Anne Herber and Last Bell Ministries Executive Director Megan Hershey.
“Jennie Auble and I are in a painting class together that meets on Wednesdays,” Herber told the Reporter. “I went to the painting class a month ago. I walked in the door and was just talking about how horrible it was in Ukraine and how I feel so sorry, but I don’t have a bunch of money to send them, but my God, we’ve all got to do something. We really put this together at neck-breaking speed. I asked, ‘Who knows somebody in Ukraine that we can do a benefit for at Crackers Comedy Club and get this ball rolling?’ Jennie told me about Last Bell. Right then and there in like five whole minutes the who thing got put together.”
Hershey spoke to the Reporter about what led to her involvement with Last Bell.
“I first got involved with Last Bell through my church, who was sending groups over to serve in Ukraine,” Hershey said. “I had spent 10 years working with homeless youth in Indianapolis and felt compelled to take next steps in working with this similar youth population across the globe in Ukraine. I’m inspired by the long-term commitment our staff makes to build healing relationships with youth who have no family system and no future to consider without the intervention of loving relationships, educational and physical assistance, and long-term work to repair early trauma and loss so many have lived through.”
According to Hershey, prior to the war, Last Bell’s staff mentored orphaned youth in Zhytomyr’s trade schools, meeting their needs in the areas of housing, education, job skills, parenting classes, medical and dental advocacy, and more.
Graphic provided
Since the invasion, Last Bell has been evacuating many vulnerable orphan-parented families – especially single moms with their children – and distributing food and other supplies to orphaned youth in Zhytomyr. Some donated funds go toward fuel, vehicle maintenance, and other supplies for evacuations, as well as resources for evacuated families. Other funds go toward bulk purchasing and distribution of food, water, diapers, hygiene kits, and medications to students and families. Donations also help with delivering humanitarian aid to families in rural areas, a vital service that only those with vehicles and drivers can provide.
Now is your chance to help. Tickets are $30 per person, plus a two-drink minimum. According to Herber, over 50 tickets are already sold. Click here to buy yours.
There will also be a silent auction beginning at 7 p.m., along with bite-size Ukrainian desserts from a local deli. The show starts at 8 p.m. this Thursday at Crackers Comedy Club – don’t be late!
For more information about Last Bell Ministries, go to LastBell.org or visit their Facebook page.
Photos provided