Companies operated by Chattanooga businessman John Wise have contributed about $5,600 for Ukraine relief efforts as reports show nearly 4 million people have fled that nation amid the fighting.
“I’m so grateful to have our freedom and democracy to start businesses, own property and have freedom of speech,” Wise said in a statement.
A benefit was held March 4, 5 and 6 at Wise’s Southside Social restaurant on Chestnut Street, with some percentage of the take devoted to the relief efforts, said Chris Blevins, controller for Wise Properties.
Included in the total was a match from Wise’s property management business, Blevins said.
Blevins, who spoke with the Times Free Press on Tuesday at Hayden Place apartments, owned by Wise Properties, said the money is going to three entities to help fund Ukrainian relief: GlobalGiving, Care USA and UNICEF. He said the company is “playing it by ear” in terms of future efforts.
“We hope we can play some small role,” he said, adding that other local businesses are welcome to join Wise Properties in the initiative. “It makes you mad, and it makes you want to do something. That’s the impetus.”
Blevins said he can be contacted at cblevins@wiselivingonline.com.
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Wise said the Ukrainian people have earned their independence and they need support.
“As you can see, autocracies don’t work, and create monsters,” he said. “We are trying to do our small part to help [the people] and the world be independent and free.”
On Tuesday, Russia announced it will significantly scale back military operations near Ukraine’s capital and a northern city, as the outlines of a possible deal to end the grinding war came into view at the latest round of talks, according to The Associated Press
Ukraine’s delegation at the conference, held in Istanbul, laid out a framework under which the country would declare itself neutral and its security would be guaranteed by an array of other nations, the AP reported.
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Moscow’s public reaction was positive, and the negotiations are expected to resume Wednesday, five weeks into what has devolved into a bloody war of attrition, with thousands dead and almost 4 million Ukrainians fleeing the country.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.