An appeal to the Ukrainian American community regarding the fate of the Verkhovyna resort (01/30/00)

An appeal to the Ukrainian American community regarding the fate of the Verkhovyna resort

Dear Ukrainian Americans:

At the February 27, 1999, meeting between the Ukrainian Fraternal Association (Ivan Oleksyn, Stephen Wichar, Petro Rodak, Chrystina Shablovsky, Audrie Thomas) and representatives of the Ukrainian American Cultural Foundation (Eugene Tataryn, Dr. Stepan Woroch, Anton and Olga Filimonchuck), we learned that the insurance regulatory authorities in Pennsylvania, which control the operations of all insurance associations chartered in that state, insist that the UFA sell the Verkhovyna resort since the operation of a resort is not a matter of insurance associations.

Since for the last few decades Verkhovyna has been a favorite piece of Ukraine on American soil, the loss of the resort not only would be a big loss for UFA but also for the Ukrainian community in general. Those interested in keeping Verkhovyna in Ukrainian hands founded the Ukrainian American Cultural Foundation. The UACF has started collecting funds for the purchase of Verkhovyna; the UACF is a non-profit operation and all donations to the UACF are tax-deductible.

We want to organize all Ukrainians, especially UFA members, to purchase the resort and thus to ensure its continued services for the Ukrainian community, for us, our children and grandchildren.

The UACF is a charitable organization, and this is why we are asking people of good will, especially members of the UFA, to help us preserve Verkhovyna by sending donations of $100 or more. Checks and money orders should be made payable to: Ukrainian American Cultural Foundation, P.O. Box 418, Glen Spey, NY 12737.

If all of us and members of UFA participate in this fund-raising campaign we will succeed in creating a fund for the purchase of Verkhovyna from the UFA and retain its ownership in Ukrainian hands.

Verkhovyna is a beautiful resort with a seven-acre lake and healthy climate. There is enough space for various recreational activities, homes for the elderly or recuperation for victims of the Chornobyl disaster.

Verkhovyna can serve as a place of seminars for businessmen and training of government officials from Ukraine.

The UACF will continue its work for the Ukrainian American community, such as Ukrainian festivals and youth camps focused on dancing and sports. Verkhovyna will help serve the cultural needs of our community. The UACF will be a strong defender of the good name of the Ukrainian community and Ukraine.

We have plans to develop Verkhovyna. We are hoping that you will help us in our common cause. Together we can do anything we undertake. Again, we ask you to support the UACF with your donation. Please, do not delay. Time is running out. Send your contribution to the address listed above.

For the UACF: Eugene Tataryn, president; Anton Filimonchuck, vice-president/treasurer; Olga Filimonchuch, vice-president/secretary; Dr. Stephan Woroch, vice-president/fund-raising; Oksana Wanchychka Woroch, vice-president/public relations; The Rev. Nestor Kowal, vice-president/chaplain; Ihor Rakowsky, vice-president/general counsel/by-laws; Andrew Rakowsky, vice-president/nominating/membership; Yuri Blanarovich, vice-president/communications and development; Vsevolod Salenko, vice-president/finance; Oleh Kolodiy, communications/electronic media.

For the UFA: Ivan Oleksyn, president; Stephen Wichar, vice-president; Petro Rodak, vice-president/Canada; Chrystian Shablovsky, secretary; Audrie Thomas, treasurer; Joseph Charyna.

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