Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce event shines spotlight on Granite State nonprofit Common Man for Ukraine’s innovative war relief efforts
Recognizing the capital region’s ongoing ability to create positive change across the globe, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce will host the Concord Connects to Impact Ukrainian Youth event on Tuesday, May 16, in partnership with nonprofit Common Man for Ukraine. This event is generously sponsored by The Duprey Companies and supported by New Hampshire Public Radio.
The business community breakfast features former NH Gov. John Lynch and The Common Man Family of Restaurants’ Alex Ray – leaders of the grassroots nonprofit that has delivered more than 750 tons of food to Ukrainian orphans and displaced children living in the war zone.
“We consider what’s happening to these children of war to be our business. And, together, we’ve done some good to help them,” said Ray. “But there’s more good to do and Concord’s business community has the opportunity to play a vital role in improving their lives in a meaningful way.”
“Giving is not always easy, as we still recover from the pandemic’s impact on the economy. That’s why we must give what we can to organizations cutting out administrative costs and driving results,” said Gov. Lynch, who served four terms as the Granite State’s top executive. “In New Hampshire, we have seen the power each individual holds to lead and make a lifesaving difference for those devastated by this war.”
Fellow Common Man for Ukraine co-founders will join Gov. Lynch and Ray for a discussion on how creative partnerships and impactful connections can effect change with an efficiency the business community knows best. The leaders will also share how four New Hampshirites ended up in the war zone themselves, inspiring 3,000 individuals and businesses to provide $2.5 million for food, generators and trauma counseling.
“It’s inspiring to see local people making a difference on an international issue,” said Chamber President Tim Sink. “It goes to show how innovative our local business community is, and how much we can accomplish when we work together.”
Event speakers include:
● Former NH Gov. John Lynch
● Alex Ray – Founder, The Common Man Family of Restaurants
● Timothy G. Sink, CCE – President, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
● Susan Mathison – President, WebPemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity
● Piotr Jankowski – District Governor, Rotary Poland
All are welcome to attend Concord Connects to Impact Ukrainian Youth event on Tuesday, May 16 from 7:30-8:45 a.m. at the Grappone Conference Center. The fundraiser is free to attend, and includes a continental breakfast. Learn more and sign up at my.concordnhchamber.com/event-calendar. Donations to Common Man for Ukraine can be given online at commonmanforukraine.org/donate by texting COMMONMAN to 53555, or mailing a check to: Common Man for Ukraine, 71 Main Street, Plymouth, NH 03264.
About Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce:
Incorporated in 1919, New Hampshire’s state capital chamber of commerce—the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce—develops economic opportunities, strengthens the business climate, and enhances quality of life in the Capital region. For more information, visit concordnhchamber.com.
About Common Man for Ukraine:
Common Man for Ukraine is a special initiative of the certified 501c3 nonprofit Plymouth Rotary
Foundation, EIN 59-3841932, in Plymouth, NH. By partnering with Rotary Club members abroad, Common Man for Ukraine maximizes impact and ensures all donations are delivered as intended to Ukrainian orphans, children and families in need. To date, Common Man for Ukraine’s co-founders have personally delivered more than 750 tons of food, thousands of sleeping bags, hundreds of generators and additional relief supplies to Ukrainian orphanages and safe houses; and support ongoing mental health treatment efforts that include founding a trauma counseling center for displaced children of war.