Two years ago, Bayside Housing & Services and the Old Alcohol Plant Inn teamed up to support Ukraine through a dinner that yielded thousands of dollars for the humanitarian aid organization UNICEF in the war-torn country.

On Thursday, Sept. 12, the Old Alcohol Plant Inn in Port Hadlock is hosting another dinner fundraiser for Ukraine, again in conjunction with the nonprofit Bayside Housing & Services. This time the event to help the children of Ukraine will feature speakers from the Seattle-based Ukrainian Community Center of Washington.

James Holthaus, director of housing and supportive services for the Port Hadlock-based Bayside, was not working for them when the previous dinner for Ukraine took place, but he cited his experiences in the military and overseas with supplying him with plenty of reasons to care about the plight of the children and families living in, or fleeing from, the beleaguered nation.

Holthaus spent 15 years serving in the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Army, including a stint on Naval Magazine Indian Island, but he’s also traveled to Israel three times — in 2008, 2016 and 2022 — to attend homeland security training conferences, during which he was granted access to restricted areas, in order to witness firsthand how that country prepared for, and responded to, emergencies and terrorist attacks.

Holthaus credited his contacts in the area Ukrainian community and the U.S. State Department with helping him to make this event happen, and he’s additionally sponsored a Ukraine citizen to the United States, under the Uniting for Ukraine sponsor program.

“It’s important to do my part to help support Ukraine, not only in words, but also in actions,” said Holthaus, who repeated the phrase “Slava Ukraini” (glory to Ukraine).

Holthaus drew parallels between the Russian invasion of Ukraine, that began in 2022, and the events of World War II, in which “a dictator attacked parts of Europe,” which leaves him feeling “strongly morally committed to help defend” Ukraine and its people.

Holthaus has been invited to travel to Ukraine, and tour its front lines, but in the meantime, he hopes as many people as possible can hear from the Ukrainian Community Center speakers, about the most recent developments in the country, as well as the work they do on behalf of Ukrainian refugees, and how the Seattle community helps support those efforts.

Proceeds from each $100 ticket to the event — running from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Skyview Room — will benefit UNICEF in Ukraine. Seating is limited to 75 attendees.

Gary Keister, executive Director of Bayside Housing & Services, said the Old Alcohol Plant Inn with making a $10,000 contribution to UNICEF in Ukraine, after their first dinner for Ukraine in May of 2022.

To honor the culture and cuisine of Ukraine, Chef Troy Murrell, of the Spirits Bar and Grill at the Old Alcohol Plant Inn, has created a buffet-style menu of Ukrainian dishes, including kapustnyak (sauerkraut soup), Ukrainian beet salad, pampúshka (garlic bread), cabbage rolls, kotlety (pork meatballs), Chicken Kiev, piroshki (cabbage-stuffed fried bread), nalisniki (crepes with cheese) and halušky (Ukrainian dumplings).

Holthaus noted that, earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a sister state agreement between Washington state and Ukraine.

To celebrate the relationship between Ukraine and the United States, glasses will be raised during the Sept. 12 dinner, in a toast to both countries. Drawings will be held for special gifts from the U.S. State Department and the official White House gift shop. For information contact James Holthaus at 360-215-0852 or jholthaus@baysidehousing.org.