Hartford banquet recognizes staunch supporters of CCRF (01/03/99)

Hartford banquet recognizes staunch supporters of CCRF

HARTFORD, Conn. - Over 250 supporters and activists from across Connecticut packed the banquet hall at the Ukrainian National Home here recently to honor several individuals who had made outstanding contributions to the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund.

Among the honorees was Toby Moffett, a former congressman from Connecticut who helped the CCRF secure over $400,000 in funds from the Monsanto Co. and $300,000 of high-quality antibiotics from Monsanto's subsidiaries, Searle Pharmaceuticals and Nutrasweet-Kelco.

Also honored were Canton, Conn., residents Louis and Judi Friedman, who have helped raise thousands of dollars for the CCRF by hosting benefit concerts in their home, and by helping to build coalitions between the CCRF and various corporate and grassroots organizations.

The CCRF also honored Hartford's Fox-61 television news journalists Shelly Sindland and Paul Quimby, who traveled to Ukraine last fall to produce an award-winning four-part series on the aftermath of Chornobyl. The series won several Emmy nominations and has already won a national award for artistic merit from the Society of Professional Journalists.

The dinner drew activists from many cities and towns across Connecticut, including Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, New Britain, Willimantic, Colchester, Terryville and Glastonbury.

Among the dignitaries who attended the Hartford banquet were the mayor of Wethersfield, Wayne Sassano, and one of Connecticut's congressmen, Rep. Sam Gejdenson, who was introduced by his long-time friend Orest Dubno, chairman of the CCRF's board of directors.

The CCRF has received strong support from Willimantic and Colchester, two small Ukrainian communities in Rep. Gejdenson's district that had raised more than $10,000 for a medical shipment to Luhansk. Rep. Gejdenson, whose forefathers emigrated from Belarus and Lithuania, told the crowd that he is proud of his immigrant roots. Speaking from experience as a member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, Rep. Gejdenson said that relief efforts initiated by ethnic communities, such as those launched by the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, have had a tremendously positive effect on U.S. foreign policy as they strengthen ties between the American people and other nations seeking to overcome the legacy of communism.

In accepting his award, Mr. Friedman praised the CCRF as a "remarkable organization" that deserves the support of all Americans not only those with direct ties to Ukraine. He urged the audience to reach out beyond the Ukrainian American community, to people who would care more about Chornobyl and its victims, if they were more informed about the disaster's long-term aftermath. He stressed the vital importance of coalition-building and media outreach.

The September 27, 1998, dinner received coverage in the Hartford Courant and on Fox-61 News. As a press coordinator for Connecticut-based environmental organizations, Mr. Friedman had helped to secure dozens of favorable news stories on Ukraine and the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund.

"This is very hard work," said Mr. Friedman, who had organized numerous fact-finding missions for American environmentalists and business developers seeking to build ties with Ukrainian entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations. "It's lonely being out front on these issues, taking risks and confronting the pain and poverty of countries like Ukraine. All of us have to acknowledge this fact. But we cannot let ourselves become discouraged ... we must focus on each glimmer of hope ..."

Echoing her husband's sentiments, Ms. Friedman stirred many in the audience to tears when she said: "That spring of 1986 is scorched into the walls of our collective memory ... for the children are all our children ... We are one human family, and part of our future has been stolen."

She added "Chornobyl has spoken to my soul and with all my mind, all my heart, all my spirit and all my energy, I will work to prevent another Chornobyl."

At the conclusion of the program, CCRF Executive Director Nadia Matkiwsky also presented a special award to Stephanie Pryshlak, the founder of the Hartford chapter of the CCRF and one of its most effective organizers. Mrs. Matkiwsky called Mrs. Pryshlak "the moving spirit" and the "motivational catalyst" of the Hartford Chapter, which was named "Outstanding Chapter of the Year" during CCRF's 1997 convention. "Though soft-spoken and modest, Stepha has always been fiercely devoted to her family, her community, and to the future of Ukraine" said Mrs. Matkiwsky. "She is a fighter who believes that when the health and safety of children are at stake, failure is not an option."

As the program came to a close, several supporters of the CCRF stepped forward to pledge substantial donations to support the foundation's 20th humanitarian airlift which was completed in the fall. The first, Ivan Zakoworotny of Winsted, Conn., pledged $11,000 to purchase a transport incubator for the Vinnytsia Regional Children's Hospital. Other major donors included Irene Chaikovsky, who donated $5,000; Anton Ferenc - $2,000; Lydia Ficalowich; the estate of Wasyl Lekanka; Michael and Halyna Shulewsky; the Ukrainian National Home of New Haven and an anonymous contributor from Colchester - $1,000 each. The Hartford fund-raiser has already raised over $35,000 and additional donations are still coming in.

The president of CCRF's Hartford chapter, Nadia Haftkowycz, expressed her thanks and congratulations to all the volunteers and contributors who helped to make the dinner successful: master of ceremonies Lana Babij; members of the organizing committee Eugene Babij, Wanda Baxer, Luda Chmeliwsky, Ulana Hryn, Irene Krasij, photographer Borys Krupa, Orest and Oksana Kuzma, press coordinator Mike Matiash, Julie Nesteruk, Andrij Rudko, Ihor and Natalia Rudko, Halyna Shulewsky, Inna Stachiw and Eugene Syrotiuk.

Those interested in contributing to this humanitarian mission are urged to write to: Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, 272 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ 07078.

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