In June, Stoli Group presented the ‘Stand With Ukraine Gala Event’ at Canvas House, South Melbourne, raising $33,000 for World Central Kitchen.
The Stand With Ukraine Gala formed part of a wider fundraising campaign that aims to collect USD$1m by Ukraine Independence Day, August 24.
The dinner, which was hosted by TV personality and singer Brihony Dawson, catered by Tommy Collins and soundtracked by DJ Andy Murphy and Gaz Kempster, was the first Stoli-run event worldwide.
Tim Szonyi, Stoli Group’s Vodka Category Leader & Global Innovation Leader, hailed the dinner as a success, saying: “Here at Stoli Group, it’s important for us to stand for something and make a difference to people’s lives.”
At the dinner a live silent auction, plus cocktail and limited-edition bottle sales, helped to raise the sum of AUD$33,000. Guests included ‘media, influencers, key opinion leaders, trade partners and Ukrainian community groups.’
“We were blown away by the support and generosity from our guests who helped bring us closer to our fundraising goal, and we look forward to continuing to provide much needed funds to World Central Kitchen who are working tirelessly during this challenging time,” Szonyi said.
World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a non-profit organisation that provides meals to people displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since March, Stoli has donated over USD$100,000 to WCK, helping the organisation to provide over five million meals to Ukrainians fleeing the conflict.
The Gala came soon after Stoli announced a significant rebrand to end its association with the Stolichnaya name. The Stoli Group also reiterated that its products are in no way connected to Russia, with the spirit produced in Latvia and headquartered in Luxembourg.