Adopted Kharkiv Man Helps Ukraine USAGM
Metadata
- Adopted Kharkiv Man Helps Ukraine USAGM
- April 20, 2022
- Content Type Package
- Language English
- Transcript/Script English ((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV- Adopted Kharkiv Man Helps Ukraine – Vishneva HEAD: Kharkiv Boy Adopted From Ukraine, Now Grown, Helps His Native Country TEASER: Tom Birkhoff wanted to go to Ukraine and fight, but his adoptive family convinced him he could help more from America PUBLISHED: 04/xx/2021 BYLINE: Nina Vishneva CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: New York VIDEOGRAPHER: Vladimir Badikov, Natalia Latukhina SCRIPT EDITORS: MPage, Holly Franko PRODUCER: VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA + Agencies TBD PLATFORMS: TV only TRT: 3:42 VID APPROVED BY: KE TYPE: TVPKG UPDATE: Trimmed throughout for conciseness, pkgs should not exceed 450 words max. )) ((INTRO)) [[Tom Birkhoff was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and adopted by a U.S. family over 15 years ago. But now that his home country has been attacked by Russia, he started a donation drive to help Ukraine. Birkhoff sends needed goods and raises money, which he sends to his childhood friend for distribution in Kharkiv. Nina Vishneva has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.]] ((NATS)) ((Tom Birkhoff, IN RUSSIAN)) "This is Jake. Jake, say hi! This is my sister Sarah. Sarah, say hi! And this is my friend Joey." ((NARRATION)) Tom Birkhoff's garage has looked like this for over a month now. Every inch is covered with boxes containing things collected to be sent to Ukraine. He speaks English mixed with Ukrainian and Russian. When he was 12, Birkhoff was adopted from Kharkiv, Ukraine, and brought to Long Island, New York. His grandmother and a childhood friend he grew up with at the orphanage stayed in Ukraine. ((NATS)) ((Birkhoff on the phone)) ((IN RUSSIAN)) "Hey, brother! How are you doing there?" ((NARRATION)) His friend in ((Mandatory courtesy: Tombir22 + Instagram Logo)) Kharkiv now works as a police officer, and since the war started has been volunteering – delivering food and clothing to whoever needs it. Birkhoff's grandmother and many others who either couldn't or wouldn't leave the city – are the people he helps. At times he shoots videos – to show Birkhoff what their childhood streets look like now. ((Tom Birkhoff, Volunteer)) "There's that 10-story apartment complex that was on fire. Everything was bombed. People are forced to live in the basement, they don't even have running ((End courtesy)) water, electricity, gas – they have to cook food over an open fire." ((NARRATION)) When the invasion began, Birkhoff wanted to go to Ukraine and fight. But his adoptive family convinced him he could help more from America. As a result, Birkhoff dedicates his time to raising money and collecting medication and tactical supplies such as helmets. He transfers all the money to his childhood friend so that he can buy necessities. ((Tom Birkhoff, Volunteer)) "He and his partner are amazing! Nothing would have been possible without them. Reporter: Just two people? Tom: Two people are doing everything." ((NARRATION)) New York City firefighters are supporting Birkhoff's cause – a few fire departments around the city have installed special donation boxes and pass everything to Birkhoff. Firefighter Nick Cerullo may not like to talk about politics, but he is doing what he can to help. ((Nick Cerullo, Firefighter)) "There's some tactical stuff in there, but mostly all medical to aid the wounded over there in Ukraine. It's obviously a serious issue going down there; a lot of people wounded, and it's hard to get supplies over there. So, we were happy to get this filled up as fast as possible." ((NARRATION)) For several years, Birkhoff volunteered at the fire station so many local firefighters know him. And because of that, the war in Ukraine is more personal. ((Tom Birkhoff, Volunteer)) "People donated so many things, it was awesome. I wanted to cry. People help a lot. // Blankets, socks, gloves … For adults and for kids ..." ((NARRATION)) Birkhoff's American family are doing what they can, too. His cousin has installed a donation box in her bakery. ((Heather Friedfertig, Tom Birkhoff's Cousin)) "I just post weekly, like, 'Hey guys, we have a drop-off box here, any donations are welcome; we're looking for medical supplies…" ((NARRATION)) Sarah, Birkhoff's sister, packs donated items into boxes. She has never been to Ukraine, but she admires the bravery Ukrainians are demonstrating. ((Sarah Birkhoff, Tom Birkhoff's Sister)) "We see the overwhelming pride, and it's heartwarming, it's inspiring! We're happy to be here today, and we love Ukraine!" ((NARRATION)) Birkhoff dreams of going to Ukraine when it's safe – to help rebuild the country. As a construction worker – his skills will be needed. ((For Nina Vishneva in New York, Anna Rice, VOA News.))
- Transcript/Script ((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV- Adopted Kharkiv Man Helps Ukraine – Vishneva HEAD: Kharkiv Boy Adopted From Ukraine, Now Grown, Helps His Native Country TEASER: Tom Birkhoff wanted to go to Ukraine and fight, but his adoptive family convinced him he could help more from America PUBLISHED: 04/xx/2021 BYLINE: Nina Vishneva CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: New York VIDEOGRAPHER: Vladimir Badikov, Natalia Latukhina SCRIPT EDITORS: MPage, Holly Franko PRODUCER: VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA + Agencies TBD PLATFORMS: TV only TRT: 3:42 VID APPROVED BY: KE TYPE: TVPKG UPDATE: Trimmed throughout for conciseness, pkgs should not exceed 450 words max. )) ((INTRO)) [[Tom Birkhoff was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and adopted by a U.S. family over 15 years ago. But now that his home country has been attacked by Russia, he started a donation drive to help Ukraine. Birkhoff sends needed goods and raises money, which he sends to his childhood friend for distribution in Kharkiv. Nina Vishneva has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.]] ((NATS)) ((Tom Birkhoff, IN RUSSIAN)) "This is Jake. Jake, say hi! This is my sister Sarah. Sarah, say hi! And this is my friend Joey." ((NARRATION)) Tom Birkhoff's garage has looked like this for over a month now. Every inch is covered with boxes containing things collected to be sent to Ukraine. He speaks English mixed with Ukrainian and Russian. When he was 12, Birkhoff was adopted from Kharkiv, Ukraine, and brought to Long Island, New York. His grandmother and a childhood friend he grew up with at the orphanage stayed in Ukraine. ((NATS)) ((Birkhoff on the phone)) ((IN RUSSIAN)) "Hey, brother! How are you doing there?" ((NARRATION)) His friend in ((Mandatory courtesy: Tombir22 + Instagram Logo)) Kharkiv now works as a police officer, and since the war started has been volunteering – delivering food and clothing to whoever needs it. Birkhoff's grandmother and many others who either couldn't or wouldn't leave the city – are the people he helps. At times he shoots videos – to show Birkhoff what their childhood streets look like now. ((Tom Birkhoff, Volunteer)) "There's that 10-story apartment complex that was on fire. Everything was bombed. People are forced to live in the basement, they don't even have running ((End courtesy)) water, electricity, gas – they have to cook food over an open fire." ((NARRATION)) When the invasion began, Birkhoff wanted to go to Ukraine and fight. But his adoptive family convinced him he could help more from America. As a result, Birkhoff dedicates his time to raising money and collecting medication and tactical supplies such as helmets. He transfers all the money to his childhood friend so that he can buy necessities. ((Tom Birkhoff, Volunteer)) "He and his partner are amazing! Nothing would have been possible without them. Reporter: Just two people? Tom: Two people are doing everything." ((NARRATION)) New York City firefighters are supporting Birkhoff's cause – a few fire departments around the city have installed special donation boxes and pass everything to Birkhoff. Firefighter Nick Cerullo may not like to talk about politics, but he is doing what he can to help. ((Nick Cerullo, Firefighter)) "There's some tactical stuff in there, but mostly all medical to aid the wounded over there in Ukraine. It's obviously a serious issue going down there; a lot of people wounded, and it's hard to get supplies over there. So, we were happy to get this filled up as fast as possible." ((NARRATION)) For several years, Birkhoff volunteered at the fire station so many local firefighters know him. And because of that, the war in Ukraine is more personal. ((Tom Birkhoff, Volunteer)) "People donated so many things, it was awesome. I wanted to cry. People help a lot. // Blankets, socks, gloves … For adults and for kids ..." ((NARRATION)) Birkhoff's American family are doing what they can, too. His cousin has installed a donation box in her bakery. ((Heather Friedfertig, Tom Birkhoff's Cousin)) "I just post weekly, like, 'Hey guys, we have a drop-off box here, any donations are welcome; we're looking for medical supplies…" ((NARRATION)) Sarah, Birkhoff's sister, packs donated items into boxes. She has never been to Ukraine, but she admires the bravery Ukrainians are demonstrating. ((Sarah Birkhoff, Tom Birkhoff's Sister)) "We see the overwhelming pride, and it's heartwarming, it's inspiring! We're happy to be here today, and we love Ukraine!" ((NARRATION)) Birkhoff dreams of going to Ukraine when it's safe – to help rebuild the country. As a construction worker – his skills will be needed. ((For Nina Vishneva in New York, Anna Rice, VOA News.))
- NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
- Network VOA
- Embargo Date April 20, 2022 09:56 EDT
- Byline Nina Vishneva
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America