We come together to support one of our own, Alex, a cherished member of our parish family who needs our help now more than ever. ALL donations are going to the St. Alexander Nevsky Benevolent Fund in Howell, NJ.

Alex's journey is one of dedication and passion. Hailing from a family of chefs, he has spent 27 years honing his craft, starting from the humble beginnings of a busboy and rising to become an executive chef at The Gallery in NJ. Along the way, he has served celebrities, cooked for the monastery at Mount Athos, and tirelessly given back to our community through his culinary talents.

However, tragedy struck on March 8th when a routine presentation at work turned into a nightmare. While presenting a dish that involved lighting a wooden board on fire, an accident occurred, leaving Alex with severe third and fourth-degree burns covering 80% of his face, significant injuries to his arms and loss of vision in one eye. He's currently undergoing emergency medical care at the Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, where doctors work tirelessly to treat his injuries. Alex's road to recovery is long and arduous. He faces months of rehabilitation, multiple surgeries, and the daunting task of starting a new career to support his family.

As Alex fights to heal, his family faces their own challenges. His wife, unable to drive due to a past accident, struggles to be by his side during this critical time. And with Alex unable to work, the financial burden weighs heavily on their shoulders, threatening their stability and ability to afford the care he so desperately needs. They need money just to survive: food, paying utilities, car payment, auto and home insurance, and more. The pain he endures daily is unimaginable, compounded by the trauma of losing his livelihood and the uncertainty of his future.

That's why we're reaching out to our community for support. Our goal is to raise funds to cover Alex's medical expenses, including emergency care, psychiatry sessions to address the trauma he's endured, rehabilitation, and plastic surgeries. Additionally, we aim to alleviate the financial strain on his family as they navigate this difficult period and embark on a new chapter of their lives. But our efforts don't stop there. If we exceed our fundraising goal, Alex hopes to give back to the Burn Center, supporting other patients, including children from Ukraine undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

Together, we can make a difference in Alex's life and help him find hope and healing in the midst of adversity. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to ensuring that Alex and his family receive the support they need to overcome this challenge.

Thank you for standing with us in solidarity with Alex during this difficult time. Your generosity, compassion and prayers make all the difference.

This campaign is unpublished.