Hartford branch celebrates 50th anniversary of SUM in the United States (02/13/00)

Hartford branch celebrates 50th anniversary of SUM in the United States

by Roman Pokora

HARTFORD, Conn. - Recently, members of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) branch here celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization's founding in the United States.

Festivities were called to order by "bulavnyi" Peter Zelez. Ceremonies began with the honoring of senior SUM members for their achievements. The head of the Hartford branch, Myron Kolinsky, recognized Petro Szahaj, Myron Zelez, Osyp Hladun, Mykhailo Gruntovsky, Myron Kusio, Antin Nakonechnyj, Paul Kebalo, Sofia Radio, and others for their role in organizing and supporting the Hartford chapter of SUM for the last 48 years. It was their efforts that helped build a youth organization that thrives today.

A candlelight vigil commemorated SUM members who had significantly contributed to SUM but have passed away, including Tymish Melnyk, Pavlo and Yulia Kolinsky, and Mrs. Mokryckyj.

Awards were passed out to SUM youth for their participation in various summer camps, and for their more recent achievements. Mr. Kolinsky reported that over 90 percent of Hartford SUM youth were able to attend various summer camps.

The children's group Orly, led by counselors Marta Boyko, Pavlo Maksymiuk and Roman Pokora, received recognition for their recent fund raising achievements. The boys of Orly, age 12 to 15, raised more than $650 for the SUM medical relief fund in Ukraine known as "Project Lifeline." Presently, they are collecting money for UNICEF Ukraine.

The Puhachi group, led by counselor Bohdanka Szafran, were commended for their outstanding achievements during Zlet 99. Ranging in age from 7 to 9, they were awarded first place in overall achievement in their age group.

The Vedmedyky, led by counselor Christina Kolinsky, were congratulated for their recent musical performance in a local nursing home. They were also commended for the distribution of seasonal care baskets to local families in the area.

SUM members Taissa Tomashevsky, Katia Romaniw, Natalia Bobriwnyk, Dania Semczysyn, Mr. Maksymiuk and Mr. Pokora all received their "vporiadnyk" emblem in recognition of their work as counselors in their local SUM branch.

The ceremonies closed with songs and poems recited by the various SUM units.

At the end, Mr. Maksymiuk, one of the counselors noted, "I think it was great to see so many familiar faces gathered to celebrate such an important milestone for SUM."

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