Phil Flores is a past student from Newark High, the first school I taught in 1973-1976. He just turned 62 this past Monday, March 8. When I heard of his compassionate courageous desire to get to Poland and help the millions of Ukrainian refugees I volunteered my efforts to raise funds on his behalf for all  his expenses. I asked him to provide me with a short biography. Here it is: "As a young boy visiting my Mexican grandmother every Saturday was a real treat. It was there where I was inspired and born into the food business. It has been nearly 40 years and my passion for food and people still burns. Throughout my journey, I’ve worked for the best restaurant companies in the world. In 1985, I opened the 15th Olive Garden in the company, then spent 10 years in the Outback Steakhouse concept before opening my own catering business. It was there I attended Master Classes with Gordon Ramsey and Wolfgang Puck to learn the techniques, skills and concepts of cooking. I dabbled in Kansas City Barbecue and opened over 35 restaurants over a 30 year period. Recently, I discovered my love for Asian cooking and attending Master Classes in Sushi and Nori making. In 2017, I founded an organization called, “CHEFS FOR A CAUSE.” We centered the idea around feeding people after hurricanes in the Southern states."  Phil, like so many of us, is deeply saddened by what he has witnessed in Ukraine. He has contacted the World Central Kitchen (WCK) www.wck.org to volunteer to help feed the Ukrainian refugees in Poland. He received a letter March 5 from WCK gladly welcoming his experience and chef skills and actually was hoping to have him there March 6. He has told WCK he can be there March 29th and will stay to at least 3 weeks maybe longer. The WCK does not provide any financing of his flight to get there nor lodging nor any clothing to help him combat the severe weather conditions. He needs our donations to pay for his round trip airfare, for winter clothing, to purchase a small tent, camp stove, boots, etc. I’m hoping we can generate enough money in these next few weeks to get him there as well as equip him with the aforementioned necessities. If enough of us could donate a minimum of $5.00, I honestly think we can reach our goal. Please help!!!