California Association to Aid Ukraine holds 10th anniversary gala (04/14/02)

California Association to Aid Ukraine holds 10th anniversary gala

by Ania Shalauta and Luba Poniatyszyn Keske

STUDIO CITY, Calif. - On a warm, starry Southern California evening of February 2, the Ukrainian American community and guests enjoyed the 2002 ball and presentation of debutantes sponsored by the California Association to Aid Ukraine Inc. (CAAU).

The gala charity event, held at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, was attended by nearly 300 Ukrainian Americans and non-Ukrainian friends from California, other areas of the United States, Canada and guests from Ukraine. During the cocktail hour, old friends re-acquainted themselves, while others met new faces.

After the presentation of the six debutantes, the guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and danced to the melodious music of Kari Ochi from Toronto. It was another successful CAAU event - all enjoyed a fun-filled evening and raised funds for the various CAAU projects to help the people of Ukraine.

Lesia Chopko, the evening's emcee, greeted the guests, followed with opening remarks by Luba Poniatyszyn Keske, chairperson of the CAAU board of directors.

Mrs. Keske gave an overview of objectives and accomplishments of the CAAU, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1991. In her brief speech Mrs. Keske emphasized that the mission of the CAAU is to coordinate local efforts to aid Ukraine in the fields of health, ecology, economy, education, cultural development and national democratic processes. She went on to say that the CAAU had achieved its goals in its first decade.

The CAAU had coordinated several fund-raising programs through organizations such as the Children of Chornobyl Foundation, International Center of Physics in Kyiv, Cerebral Palsy Clinic in Kyiv, the Children's Medical Care Foundation, the International Education Program and Direct Relief International, to name a few. In addition, the CAAU has provided assistance to the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, as well as other educational institutions and various hospitals, medical research facilities and orphanages.

The CAAU has joined with the Coordinating Committee to Aid Ukraine to support the rebirth of sports in Ukraine, Ukrainian Olympic teams and the publication of Ukrainian-language textbooks and children's books. The CAAU partnered with the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America to support the "Eye Projects for Ukraine" and supplied hundreds of refurbished wheelchairs to needy people in Ukraine with the cooperation of the "Wheelchairs for Humanity" organization located in North Hollywood, Calif. The CAAU funded the publication of an English-Ukrainian Reference Dictionary of Ecological Engineering, authored by Timothy Balaban of Granada Hills, Calif., a long-time member of the CAAU; and the translation of "self-help" manuals for handicapped individuals; both distributed in Ukraine by the Sabre Foundation. Many of these projects are ongoing as the CAAU strives to continue its mission of aiding the people of Ukraine.

In conclusion, Mrs. Keske introduced and acknowledged, to resounding applause, the three visionaries who spearheaded the California Association to Aid Ukraine in 1990. They are Bohdan Mykytyn, Lubomyr Osadca and Zenon Zachariasevych. It was an especially proud moment for Messrs. Mykytyn and Osadca as their granddaughters, Brianna Hill and Laryssa Zacharczuk, respectively, made their debut that evening.

Christina Shymkovich, vice-president of the CAAU, introduced the debutantes, their escorts and parents from the greater Los Angeles and San Diego areas. As the introductions were announced, those present seemed most impressed by the accomplishments, aspirations and values of these beautiful young ladies.

Following are the names of the debutantes and their escorts: Anastazia Dalesandro, El Cajon, escorted by Matthew Miller; Brianna Hill, Ventura, escorted by Marko Semotiuk; Myroslava Makuch, Glendale, escorted by Jeffrey Nolan; Laura Nelson, El Cajon, escorted by Chris Kluke; Stefanna Samokish, Beverly Hills, escorted by Bernard Kalili; and Laryssa Zacharczuk, Van Nuys, escorted by Danylko Zacharczuk.

The CAAU board of directors extended warm congratulations to the debutantes, their escorts and parents. In 2001 the CAAU renewed the tradition of the debutante presentation which sparked the interest for 2002, and hopefully for the future. Ball 2002 had an overwhelming attendance of young people, and organizers are looking forward to an encore in 2003 and beyond.

Prior to dinner being served, the Very Rev. Alexis Limonczenko, pastor of St. Wolodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles, gave the invocation in English and Ukrainian. Bohdan Chaplynsky, a well-known opera tenor from Philadelphia, led the guests in singing a stirring rendition of "God Bless America."

Bohdan Malaniak, president of the CAAU, introduced the notable guests. Wolodymyr B. Belanger, a well-known art collector from Ukraine, kindly agreed to exhibit at the ball a number of beautiful paintings by the Ukrainian artist, Nestor Kyzenko, and generously contributed two paintings to the silent auction; Yana Lohyvnech, winner of the 2000 Miss Ukraine contest, and Tanya Melnyk, recent winner of a beauty contest held in Hollywood. Also in attendance was the youngest special guest, 14-year-old Olya Kulchytska from Ukraine, who won the silver medal for a vocal performance at the World Championship of Performing Arts, accompanied by her mother, Laryssa Kulchytska, a composer.

Local surgeon Dr. Andrew Renner received recognition for setting up Triage Station No. 1 at ground zero immediately after the September 11 tragedy. Dr. Renner, who is originally from New York, was attending a medical conference in the city during the time.

Other notable guests present included Roman Samokish, a long-time member of the Hollywood film industry crafts union Local 44, who made a special trip to New York after the September 11 tragedy to sign the memorial wall and distribute sweatshirts from Local 44 to the firemen. Under the able leadership of Wally Keske, secretary-treasurer of Local 44, over 450 sweatshirts were contributed to Ukrainian orphans at the Radomyshl Internat.

David Richard, executive director of "Wheels for Humanity," also was introduced. Special recognition was accorded to Bohdan Stus, a highly respected Ukrainian community leader and long-time president of the Ukrainian Culture Center in Los Angeles, for his cooperation and work with the CAAU since its inception.

After the formalities and well-deserved acknowledgments, the young and the young at heart danced the night away to the rhythmic music of Kari Ochi as the band played a variety of old favorites, plus waltzes, tangos, Hopaks, polkas, and rock and roll. There was music to please everyone. The band's rendition of the Kolomyika was a good match to the exuberant dancers performing beloved Ukrainian folk dance steps. The guests were captivated by the intricate graceful steps, whirling spins and acrobatic "prysiudy."

As part of its fund-raising effort this year, the CAAU conducted a silent auction expertly organized by Susan Koziak, member of the Ball 2002 Committee. Over 50 donors contributed valuable items of art, memorabilia, gift certificates, videos, etc. The CAAU acknowledged these in-kind contributions, generous cash donations and ads for the 10th anniversary issue of the CAAU Chronicle, which made this fund-raiser a great success.

In addition, guests were encouraged to participate in the CAAU's "Sox for Ukrainian Orphans" drive by bringing a pair of new socks to the ball. Over 1,100 pairs were collected. The board of directors thanked everyone who participated in this effort, especially Mr. and Mrs. Walter Machula of Anaheim, Calif., who graciously donated 725 pairs of new socks.

The board of directors expressed gratitude to Maria Billey, who arranged and donated the beautiful floral arrangements for the Ball. Also, organizers expressed a special thank-you to the Ball 2002 Committee: Mrs. Poniatyszyn Keske and Ms. Shymkovich (co-chairpersons), Ms. Chopko, Crystal Angot-Duquene, Nadine Hewko, Luba Hryciw, Zoryana Keske, Ms. Koziak, Mr. Malaniak and Andrea Wynnyk, for their tireless effort to make the event a success. Organizers gave Ms. Wynnyk special recognition for her artistic design of the invitations, programs and logo for the 2002 ball.

The California Association to Aid Ukraine extended a heartfelt thank-you to the community and friends who supported the organizers and made the gala event possible.

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