Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Oakwood alums raise funds to help Ukrainians deal with war’s brutality

Event raised $11,000 in funds to help Ukrainians 

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By Robert Airoldi

Roman and Zoe Moskalenko organized a charity auction Saturday, Jan. 6, at Oakwood School and raised $11,000 in funds to help Ukrainians in their struggles against Russia’s invasion of their country.

“We are so beyond grateful to everyone who attended the event and supported our cause,” Roman said. “Every dollar we received already makes a difference in Ukraine and helps us to save the lives of Ukrainian defenders!”

At age 16 when the invasion started, Roman came from the Kiev region to attend high school at Oakwood, a private school in Morgan Hill. There he met fellow student Zoe Chamberlain of Morgan Hill. They married following graduation.

Both are passionate in their goal to assist the people in Ukraine. They started a nonprofit called LearnUA (www.learnuaschool.com). It raises money by teaching the Ukrainian language on an online platform.

“It is important to support Ukraine and never forget about our fight for democracy and independence,” the young man said. “We can’t let a country brutally invade its neighbor and start the largest murder and rape campaign since the Second World War. If we show terrorists that crimes against humanity are unpunishable, the whole world will be at war.”

To watch the event’s presentation, visit www.youtu.be/oHx0DO–fYA

Let’s continue to remember the brutal and unjust war is hurting and killing men, women and children.

Slava Ukraini! (“Glory to Ukraine!”)

We got word from our flag football guru Jeff Dixon that 49ers PREP, presented by U.S. Bank, a direct service provider of the 49ers Foundation, is championing Girls Flag Football across the Bay Area. On Thursday, Jan. 25, the spotlight shifts to Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center. With the backing of 49ers PREP, SV5 NFL FLAG Football invites all middle school girls to join a free three-hour skills camp from 5 to 8 p.m. It will focus on skill development and teaching the game. To register, visit www.sv5nflflag.com. Walk-up registration welcome. Contact Dixon at [email protected] for more information.

At the school level, participation in girls’ flag football has seen remarkable growth in recent times. In 2021, the NFL and Nike initiated a $5-million grant dedicated to the sport. Since then, girls flag football has become a sanctioned high school club sport and flag football will be played in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 49ers organization has consistently championed girls’ involvement, demonstrating their commitment in various ways.

49ers PREP has hosted a T.H.I.N.K. Gold! Conference, an event for high school female student athletes that focuses on supporting young women in their athletic endeavors and giving them an inside look at careers in professional sports. Running since 2009, the conference has served more than 600 female high school student-athletes.

The Valley Water Board of Directors early this month elected Nai Hsueh, District 5 representative, as board chair in 2024. Richard Santos, representing District 3, was elected vice chair. The board vote launches Hsueh’s third tenure as chair. Hsueh served as board chair in  2013 and 2020.

Hsueh, a registered civil engineer in California, worked at Valley Water for three decades. Hsueh takes the leadership role as Valley Water faces challenges such as climate change, inflation and aging infrastructure.

“We are here to do good things for the community,” Hsueh said. “I see the role of the chair not as  a person with more authority than other board members, but as the coordinator and doer for the board,  working with everybody to make sure things happen. With a functional board, we will continue to be a  high-performing organization, which will benefit the community.”

Hsueh was first elected to the board of directors in November 2012 to represent District 5, which includes the cities of Cupertino, Saratoga, areas of Sunnyvale and southwest San Jose. Hsueh was re-elected in 2016 and 2020.

Santos starts his fourth tenure as vice chair, previously serving in 2004, 2009 and  2017. Santos, a retired firefighter and native of Alviso, represents District 3, which includes  Alviso, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Milpitas and Berryessa/Alum Rock.

Immediately following the handing over of the gavel, board members praised outgoing chairperson John  L. Varela for his leadership as chair pro tem in 2022 and chair in 2023.

In more water news, the city of Gilroy’s water and wastewater fee increases went into effect Jan. 1. On Oct. 16, the Gilroy City Council agreed to raise water rates by 6 percent every year through 2028, beginning Jan. 1. Wastewater rates will increase by 4 percent annually during the same time period. This marks the first raise in rates since 2019. For information, visit CityofGilroy.org/994/Water-and-Wastewater-Rate-Adjustment.