Ukrainian Ambassador Thanks CBC, Bulls for Support Efforts

Durham Bulls Ukraine Night — *The Durham Bulls hosted a Ukraine Night on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, on Ukrainian Independence Day. The proceeds of various efforts throughout the evening went to support relief efforts in Ukraine.*

Capitol Broadcasting recently received a letter of thanks from Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, for efforts the company, and particularly the Durham Bulls, made to support the people of Ukraine.

“From turning the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham into a Ukraine Support zone, to flying blue and yellow colors alongside America’s stars and stripes, to hosting Ukraine Night at the iconic Durham Bulls Athletic Park to celebrate the Ukraine and its 31^st Independence Anniversary – the people of Ukraine are grateful for your support!” wrote Ambassador Markarova.

In May under the umbrella “CBC Cares,” Capitol Broadcasting hosted “CBC Stands with Ukraine” across all of the company’s campuses and highlighted agencies and organizations working to support the people of Ukraine. WRAL.com provided a list of vetted resources through which the Triangle community can support Ukraine without being scammed.

That CBC effort sparked an idea at the Durham Bulls, which resulted in a special night at the ballpark. Ukraine Night at the Bulls stemmed from CBC’s initial involvement and desire for the divisions to raise awareness for Ukraine.

The Bulls came up with the idea of hosting a Ukraine Night to support the people of Ukraine. They already had a game schedule on Wednesday, August 24, which coincided with Ukrainian Independence Day.

Fans who purchased a department store gift card of any kind and donated to Ukrainanians in the Carolinas on game day received a voucher for a ticket for the game. The gift cards went directly to support Ukrainian refugees in the Triangle.

DBBC Director of Marketing & Communications Michael Ward explained how the event came to pass.

“We formed a relationship with Olena Kozlova-Pates very early last spring as she is the President of Ukrainians In The Carolinas support group that raises awareness and helps provide resources to refugees who have fled the country,” he said.

The Bulls set the special night for the game between the Bulls and the Nashville Sounds at the DBAP.

“We did a Ukraine + Bulls shirt design that sold out within hours of a pre-sale,” said Ward. “On the night, we had a Ukrainian choir sing their National Anthem, themed promotions, donated seats to Ukrainian refugees living in the Triangle, video board messages and much more. The stadium was decorated in Blue and Gold to show solidarity with Ukraine as well. It was a wonderful night. Proceeds from our shirt sale and ticket sales went to support relief efforts in Ukraine.”

In early October, Corp President & COO Jimmy Goodmon received the letter from Ambassador Markarova thanking CBC for supporting Ukraine and its fight for freedom, particularly mentioning the Bulls efforts.

“Together with Ukrainians in the Carolinas, a North Carolina non-profit that has assisted the people of Ukraine over the last eight years and who had the privilege of assisting with the August 24^th Ukraine Night at the Durham Bulls event, I would like to extend my sincer appreciation to your terrific team who made Ukraine Night possible!” she wrote. “I would like to especially thank Michael Ward for leading this effort, as well as Leslie Martin, Mike Birling, Peter Wallace, Chip Allen, Patrick Norwood, Andrew Green and Paxton Rembis for an unforgettable event celebrating Ukraine and its courageous people, especially welcoming and supporting Ukrainian refugees to the Triangle!”