Spreckels Organ Society, a non-profit organization curating concerts and performances in the heart of Balboa Park, hosted a benefit concert on March 19 for Ukraine Refugees. The event raised $15,862 in donations to provide humanitarian relief. Approximately 1,400 community members gathered in support of Ukraine. Donations are still being accepted.

Organized by Spreckels Organ Society – together with the San Diego Diplomacy Council and Forever Balboa Park – donations were collected by Operation USA, a non-profit actively responding to the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis by sending emergency cash grants to community-based partners in Poland and nearby countries, as well as coordinating delivery of in-kind material aid. Operation USA was chosen because 100 percent of funds received go to the effort. Additional gifts can be made at https://give.opusa.org/sos.

The Spreckels Organ Society – as the cultural organization – seeks ways to honor Spreckels’ philanthropic gift to the City by building upon its wish to support the uniqueness, value, and importance of the individual human soul, which is highlighted through music as an intimate experience of inner self. The Spreckels Organ Society’s trustees believe in that duty. The Society’s educational program constantly seeks to grow in that mission as well.

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion hosts weekly concerts each Sunday at 2 p.m. Beginning of this month, and continuing until the crisis in Ukraine ends, each Sunday concert will start with the National Anthem of Ukraine. San Diego Civic Organist Raul Prieto Ramirez will also dress in the Ukrainian colors to spread awareness and support for all of those affected.

Through the generosity of the City of San Diego, the Spreckels Organ Society concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion are presented at no charge in accordance with the 1915 Deed of Gift whereby the brothers John and Adolph Spreckels gave the organ and pavilion to the City of San Diego. Donations are always accepted. For more information, visit www.balboaparkconcerts.org.

Set in the beautiful backdrop of Balboa Park’s open-air venue, the Spreckels Organ is the largest open air musical instrument in the world, and its performances bring a one-of-a-kind experience for guests. The elevated music venue brings world-class musical artists for San Diegans and visitors to enjoy, for free. For more information about the Spreckels Organ Society, visit www.spreckelsorgan.org.