Buffalo CCRF hosts Ukrainian schooner during July 4 holiday (09/23/01)

Buffalo CCRF hosts Ukrainian schooner during July 4 holiday

by John Riszko

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Chapter of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (CCRF) revitalized itself and the Ukrainian community in hosting the schooner Batkivschyna during the July 4 holiday. This successful event was a result of the dedication and hard work of the chapter's new directorate, a trio of young ladies - all recent graduates of the University at Buffalo - committed to alleviating the sufferings of the young victims of Chornobyl.

Inspired by a successful commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster and the 10th anniversary of the Buffalo Chapter of CCRF earlier this year, the young CCRF and community activists Olenka Bodnarskyj-Gunn (chapter president), Christina Paszkowsky and Laryssa Petryshyn were able to rally the Ukrainian community in the western New York region as well as in neighboring Ontario to support the Batkivschyna's appearance in Buffalo as part of the area's annual Friendship Festival that celebrates the friendship of Americans and Canadians.

On July 3 the Batkivschyna navigated the Welland Canal, which unites Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, and sailed into the Buffalo harbor, where it was welcomed by the historic century-old Buffalo fireboat the Edward M. Cotter. The Ukrainian ship docked at the Erie Basin Marina in the heart of downtown Buffalo.

In the evening hundreds of onlookers witnessed the formal Ukrainian welcoming ceremony. Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic priests prayed for the welfare of the Batkivschyna crew; community and civic leaders welcomed all of the participants; children and students in Ukrainian dress recited poems and sang songs all in praise of the noble efforts undertaken by the Batkivschyna's captain and crew to help relieve the horrific consequences of Chornobyl.

One honored guest at the welcoming ceremony was Lt. Gen. Whitley of the U.S. Coast Guard, who with the able assistance of Yurij Hreshchyshyn, a CCRF chapter member, was responsible for arranging Batkivschyna's entry into the Buffalo harbor.

That evening the Dnipro Ukrainian Home hosted the crew of the Batkivschyna with a very traditional and hearty Ukrainian celebration.

July 4 was the day of the Friendship Festival and the Ukrainian schooner was the main attraction. Due to a well planned and effective PR blitz - the event was covered by all major media in the Buffalo area - the turnout exceeded all expectations.

Tents lined the knoll around the dock where members of the community's Ukrainian civic and religious organizations sold home-made Ukrainian food, Ukrainian arts and crafts, and the now famous Batkivschyna t-shirts.

The festival stage featured a multicultural program organized by the Buffalo Chapter displaying the talents of Buffalo's varied ethnic groups. Most prominent in the program were the Ukrainian Chaika Dancers of Hamilton, Ontario, the Dunai Dance Group from St. Catharines, Ontario and the Zoloti Struny Bandura Group from Rochester, N.Y.

It was a memorable experience for all who attended. The work of the organizers resulted in a successful event that not only created a great sense of achievement and solidarity for the workers and participants, but also fostered a sense of pride and accomplishment for the Buffalo chapter of the CCRF as it raised $7,000 for the children of Chornobyl.

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