Detroit Community supports Rukh (12/31/89)

Detroit Community supports Rukh

by Myrosia Stefaniuk

DETROIT - Following Volodymyr Yavorivsky's address to the Detroit community at the beginning of October, many listeners responded with generous donations (some donating considerable sums) or the needs of children who fell victim to the Chornobyl tragedy and for the Rukh fund which is to administer and distribute the relief fund. The greater Detroit community favored the formation of a separate group which would organize fund-raising activities in this regard.

This vital matter began to take on a concrete organizational structure following a lecture on the recent events in Ukraine by Prof. Taras Hunczak on Friday, November 17. Additional considerable funds were raised at this evening. At that time, the need for an organized administrative body became apparent.

Wednesday, November 29, marked the founding meeting of the Detroit branch of the association in support of Rukh. Participating in the meeting were community activists and people of good will who wanted not only to provide support but to help expand activities so that they would encompass the support and participation of the entire metropolitan Ukrainian community.

Presiding over the meeting was Roma Dyhdalo, who provided a thorough explanation of the purpose and goals of the group. Olha Maruschak was recording secretary.

Following a lengthy discussion, at the end of which everyone present expressed their support of the proposed association, the following individuals were elected to office: Lubomyr Tatuch, president; Mrs. Dyhdalo, executive vice-president; Dr. Maria Baltarovych, vice-president; Mrs. Maruschak, secretary; Yurij Rozhin, treasurer; Myron Voronovych, financial officer. The auditing committee members include: Zenon Wasylkevych, Mykola Tataryn, and Pavlo Herman. In addition to elected officers three committees were designated specifically for finances, fund-raising activities, public relations and press.

The elected officers will call together a separated session for finalizing the work of the committees and outlining a concrete plan of action. The association invites all people of good will to participate in this worthy cause.

During the Christmas season, members of the association will visit homes with the traditional "koliada" in order to collect funds and to acquaint the community at large with the vital need of giving support to the events occurring in Ukraine today.