Former Peace Corps volunteers tell their stories of working in Ukraine

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Markus Schreiber / AP Photo

Women and children, fleeing from Ukraine, sleep at a makeshift shelter in the train station in Przemysl, Poland, Thursday, March 3, 2022. More than 1 million people have fled Ukraine following Russia's invasion in the swiftest refugee exodus in this century, the United Nations said Thursday.

Airdate: Thursday, March 24, 2022

Before the Russian invasion last month, Ukraine was a thriving European nation. Today, the images we see are of smoking ruins in some cities and millions of Ukrainians leaving the country, looking for safety.

Ukraine’s transition to success didn’t come overnight. When the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukraine gained its independence in the early 1990s. It wasn’t easy to go from repressive Communism to democracy and establish viable institutions, government and an economy.

The U.S. Peace Corps worked in Ukraine to help the people who struggled as their lives changed in so many ways.

Three former Peace Corps volunteers, who worked in Ukraine, appear on Thursday’s Smart Talk to describe their experiences and observations about Ukraine.

Joining us are Greg Dwyer, Michelle Garren, and Amber Footman.