Ukrainian TV host Ivanna Onufriichuk and her foundation IvAlive have been supporting Ukrainian refugee children and women who found shelter in Switzerland for over three years. The foundation implements integration and social projects, develops children’s talents, and promotes Ukrainian culture abroad. One of IvAlive’s largest initiatives is its annual charity gala, which raises funds to help Ukrainians.

This year, Ivanna and her team organized their third gala evening. The event took place in Geneva for the first time and became a platform that united support not only for IvAlive but also for two international organizations - FSD and MINE-EX, both of which work in Ukraine.

Ivanna noted that this event was very different from the previous ones - primarily because of the location. It was held at the Four Seasons Hotel, part of the world-renowned luxury hotel chain. Hosting the gala in such a major city as Geneva made it possible to attract a new, financially capable audience.

“Another special aspect of this year’s gala was that we were not just an organization hosting a beautiful charity event to raise money for our projects. We reached a new level - becoming a true charitable platform that raises funds for other vital causes, highlights the work of other organizations, and unites even more people to show how important it is to support humanitarian missions.

We are proud of our collaboration with international organizations FSD and MINE-EX, which have been active for over 20 years, including in Ukraine, as well as with the Rotary Club Lausanne International.

FSD is engaged in mine action and demining, while MINE-EX helps victims of mines, explosive remnants of war, and veterans who have undergone amputations to return to a dignified life.

Thanks to the funds raised during the event, we can not only continue our educational and integration programs for refugee children and women in Switzerland but also contribute to FSD’s project - demining Ukrainian territories and conducting safety education; and to MINE-EX’s project - the modernization of a rehabilitation center for war victims in Vashkivtsi, Chernivtsi region,” - Ivanna explained.

Ivanna Onufriichuk with her husband Almaz, mother, and mother-in-law

Another key highlight of this year’s event was the support from the Embassy of Ukraine in Switzerland. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Swiss Confederation Iryna Venediktova assisted IvAlive in providing charity auction lots, one of which was sold for one of the highest amounts of the evening. Ambassador Venediktova presented the lots and addressed the guests, emphasizing the importance of everyone’s involvement in helping Ukraine. Her participation confirmed the diplomatic recognition of the foundation’s mission and its growing influence beyond the Ukrainian community.

The evening’s program was rich and emotionally charged. It opened with a touching contemporary dance performance by students of Lausanne’s AFJD dance school. Through it, the IvAlive team wanted to share the message that the struggle of Ukrainians continues - full of hope and faith in life. Even the strongest hearts need support; every act of kindness, donation, or empathy can bring light and hope into the darkness.

One of the most moving moments was the performance by the IvAlive children’s choir, composed of Ukrainian refugee children who fled the war. Among them are children from Mariupol, Sumy region, and children of fallen heroes and active servicemen. The choir performed Ukrainian songs - “Liudy Yak Korabli” by Skriabin and “Zhovto-blakytnе sertse” by Pivovarov - as well as the French song “On écrit sur les murs.”

“When the children came on stage, everything became clear - who our foundation is for and why we do this. Their talent, smiles, and voices reminded everyone of the reason we were all gathered there. I looked at them and remembered our first gala in 2023 - their debut not only at such an event but on stage at all. They were so nervous then, and now they’ve grown - professionally, emotionally, and in confidence. Yet their sincerity and purity remain unchanged; they are still rays of light in all this darkness,” Ivanna shared with a smile.

During the cocktail reception, the Ukrainian teenage band No Name, supported by IvAlive, made their debut and impressed the audience.

The event’s headliner was the world-famous Swiss band Kadebostany, which has openly supported Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion and previously collaborated with Ukrainian artists.

The charity auction was another highlight of the evening, featuring exclusive lots. Two of them were provided by the Embassy of Ukraine in Switzerland through Ambassador Venediktova’s assistance - a unique collector’s set from boxing world champion Oleksandr Usyk, sold for 50,000 CHF, and a signed jersey by Andriy Shevchenko.

Other lots included: A personal meeting with Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Boxing gloves signed by Vitali Klitschko, Fragments of the recreated mosaic “Boryviter” by Alla Horska, A sculpture by Ukrainian artist Nazar Bilyk, A jersey signed by 23 players of the Swiss national football team, Jewelry from NATKINA, A football signed by Kylian Mbappé and other Paris Saint-Germain stars.

Ivanna noted that the auction’s success was also thanks to auctioneers Mr. Bernard Piguet and Mrs. Christina Robinson, representatives of the renowned Swiss auction house Piguet Hôtel des Ventes, who made the event dynamic and engaging. A special video message from Colonel Yurii Ihnat, Head of Communications of Ukraine’s Air Force Command, also amplified the event’s emotional power.

In the middle of the auction, I noticed my phone screen lighting up with notifications - reports of a massive missile attack on Kyiv, the directions of Russian rockets and drones, a blackout in part of the capital.

At that moment, it felt like we were living in two parallel realities. In my mind, I could see the horror unfolding at home, while before my eyes was a beautiful charity evening - children on stage, guests who may never fully understand what Ukrainians are going through.

When the most expensive lot sold for 55,000 francs, I wanted to cry. It felt symbolic.

What we achieved that night proved to me that we can do even more - it reignited my drive to keep going. I saw that we managed to reach people, to remind them why helping Ukraine matters,” Ivanna said.

Among the event’s attendees were IvAlive co-founder Laurent Maire, Ambassador Iryna Venediktova, FSD representatives Hansjörg Eberle, Oleksandra Brutsch, and Ferial Lonnis; MINE-EX and Rotary Club partners including Reto Stump, Xavier Petermann, Ihor Khailiuk, and Olena Afanasieva, founder of a rehabilitation center in Myrhorod.

Also in attendance: Tetiana Borysova, founder of Biologique Recherche Ambassad; the Geneva team of Bulgari; Inna Miroshnychenko, Bernard Yarman, Halyna Protsenko, Lyudmyla Mitiolkina-Dutrueil, Eduard Kalivoshko, Anna Duduzhynska, and others. The event was hosted, as always, by Tymur Miroshnychenko.

Event partners included both international and Ukrainian brands, such as Biologique Recherche, Paccot Domaine La Colombe, NADRA, and NATKINA. The event’s décor was handled by Atelier des Fleurs led by Inna Symachenko.

In total, the gala raised about 165,000 Swiss francs - nearly 8.5 million UAH. The funds will go toward IvAlive’s educational and integration projects for Ukrainian refugee women and children in Switzerland, FSD’s demining and mine safety education efforts, and MINE-EX’s modernization of a rehabilitation center in Chernivtsi region.

When asked at the end of our conversation, “Why do you do all this?”, Ivanna Onufriichuk replied:

“Sometimes I ask myself the same thing. I could just live my life - focus on my family, my hobbies, my dream of becoming an actress. But perhaps this is my calling - my life’s mission - to bring hope, to help, to support, and to believe, especially in children.

Doing good has always been an important part of my life. But now, in these times, I feel that humanity, care, and love are more valuable than ever. This is our kind of weapon - the one that helps us endure and helps others endure in the fight against evil and injustice.

I’m not talking about physical weapons or front-line resistance, but about each person’s inner strength to keep fighting wherever they are. That, I think, is what it’s all for.”

Previously, Ivanna Onufriichuk had organized two charity galas in Switzerland, which raised around 110,000 CHF and led to the creation of the IvAlive Learning and Development Center, which has since become a second home for Ukrainians in Switzerland.

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