Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1469942
and about one hundred more as Y-7 Video Assist Engineer. Local 695 has been very supportive; keeping contact with me almost every week, checking on extra practical trainings or theoretical material I might need and you know,and just supporting me in any way they can. I mean you guys are reading this article right now, I'm blessed that the union has offered such an amazing opportunity just so I could share my story with you and hopefully, that will inspire something good in you. Thank you, Casey and James. Star Trek ended up being more than just a job and the Star Trek family has done so much for me. They gave me experience, they gave me friendship, they gave me support, and a place to call second home for a while. Were it not for Amber's decision to become my friend and mentor, I may never have made it into Local 695. And were it not for the compassion of my cast and my crew, I may never have been able to send money back home to evacuate my family to Poland following Russia's invasion of my homeland. Words cannot express my gratitude to all of them and, particularly to Sierra Haworth, our on-set Camera Utility for organizing the crew's GoFund me campaign to save my family. My family escaped the acts of genocide that have spread across Ukrainian land and killed thousands of innocent people while forcing millions more to flee their homes. My family was lucky to have the support of my Picard fellowship. They could just as easily be among those we bid farewell to in our prayers each night. Under different circumstances, I could already be among the fallen. Any of us could, really. That is why I am coordinating with my friends from the Filmanthropy nonprofit organization to gather funds in support our friends and loved ones still struggling in Ukraine. Our efforts ensure that any donations will go directly to those in need. If you have the means to donate, consider going to https://givebutter.com/SupportUkraine/vadymmedvediuk and making a contribution. With the help of my Local 695 kin, I hope we'll be able to gather more support and do the right thing, the most humane thing, in order to help the ones in need. Thank you for reading the glimpses of my life story and all the best to you, reader.