The Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene is sponsoring a fundraising concert for the people of Ukraine.

Performers Evgeny Grechko and Nursulu Dyikanbaeva, husband and wife duo, have family in Ukraine. The couple is internationally recognized and will perform for the concert on the cello and piano.

All proceeds from the concert will go to Ukrainians in need through the foundation, Donate through Ukraine. The foundation was founded by the Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Church in Spokane, where a Slavic community is orchestrating the funds to reach the people in need through trusted ministers.

Vladimir Kronin, a staff pastor at Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Church, said the church has partnered with different churches and pastors in Ukraine to send support to different regions to fulfill the needs that arise every day.

Kronin is from Ukraine and has family still in the country as well, recently visiting for a mission trip.

“I think people are desperate,” Kronin said. “They are angry.”

Kronin said some people are trying to get out, others are staying and are upset that some have fled.

“Everyone’s trying to make decisions,” Kronin said. “It’s hard to be there right now.”

The church has a committee in charge of connecting to the partners in Ukraine. He said about half of the church is originally from Ukraine so they know a lot of the pastors and churches in the country. He said they are trying to find what the locals need, and help the smaller churches and organizations that aren’t already receiving help from elsewhere.

Kronin said the funds help churches feed the fleeing Ukrainians, transport them to the border, bring aid and medical supplies and more.

He said many churches are using their sanctuary as a shelter for those heading for the border to stay the night, then will transport them to the border and load up on supplies before returning.

The fundraising concert, Celebrating Life on this Holy Saturday, will be held at the conservatory at 7 p.m. April 16.

Admission is $15. Children under 12 are free. All proceeds go to the foundation. Donations are also accepted.