One United Fundraiser, UWC president power Chicago support for air defense

CHICAGO – A major fundraiser in the third most populous U.S. city on Feb. 5 marked a stop on the North American tour of the One United Fundraiser 2026. 

The campaign is organized by the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) Unite with Ukraine 2026 initiative in partnership with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation and Ukraine’s 412th Nemesis Brigade.

The One United Fundraiser has become the largest defense-focused fundraising campaign since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

UWC President Paul Grod attended the event where he stressed the importance of unity among Ukrainians worldwide and the shared responsibility of the global Ukrainian community to support Ukraine. 

The discussion was moderated by Mariya Dmytriv-Kapeniak, President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) Illinois Division.

The event brought together members of the Ukrainian community, civil society leaders, and defense experts. Participants discussed current threats facing Ukraine’s civilian population, countering drone attacks, and the critical role of international support in protecting Ukraine’s skies.

The gathering was part of a fundraising campaign aimed at defending civilians, cities, and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure from Russian Shahed drone attacks.

Speakers included Serhiy Prytula and Major Volodymyr Horodnychyi, a senior officer with the civil-military cooperation unit of the 412th Nemesis Brigade.

Event participant Nataliya Ponomaryova said the meeting brought together representatives of civic organizations, activists, and young people, including members of CYM and PLAST in Chicago, creating a space for open and meaningful dialogue about Ukraine’s future and the role of the diaspora.

“During the discussion, we raised critical issues of today and Ukraine’s future, the role of the diaspora, and the shared responsibility of each of us. The most powerful takeaway were words that deeply resonated with everyone present: ‘Only in unity is our strength,’ regardless of whether we are in Ukraine or abroad,” Ponomaryova said.

The event also concluded a fundraising drive for interceptor drones to help protect Ukraine’s airspace.

“Gratitude to the Ukrainian community for its continued support of systemic solutions in the fight against the enemy. The North American tour will significantly strengthen frontline units’ ability to intercept Shahed drones as close to the front line as possible,” participant Maksym Kostetskyi said.