Stride and Ride volunteers raise funds for The Ukrainian Museum (06/23/02)

Stride and Ride volunteers raise funds for The Ukrainian Museum

by Marta Baczynsky

RINGWOOD, N.J. - The spirit of volunteerism is alive and strong in the Ukrainian community. An outstanding example supporting this statement is the second Stride and Ride to Build event, a fund-raiser for The Ukrainian Museum, that was held on April 21 in picturesque Ringwood State Park.

This fun-filled, family-oriented fund-raiser was the brainchild of a group of young women, friends who share common interests - one of them being the museum. Several of these women are full-time mothers of young or school-age children, some are engaged in the business community. Yet, they have taken time out of their busy schedules, pooling their varied talents and resources to organize and conduct a wonderful and very successful event.

About 100 people, young families in the majority, bicyclists and walkers of all ages, participated in the activities of the day. During the fun and festivities more than $40,000 was raised to benefit the museum's Building Fund.

In order to appreciate the degree of commitment of the organizers to this project, its scope must be described. The second Stride and Ride to Build was billed as a non-competitive event for all ages in the sports segment of the activities. Its first part consisted of major athletic prowess for experienced mountain bikers that allowed for an exciting and challenging ride of several miles through the rugged terrain of the park. Much less daring was a parallel walk for those too young for mountain bikes, or more inclined to favor a less strenuous form of exercise.

The second part of the event consisted of a picnic, and not just any picnic at that. Plenty of good food and drink, games for everyone, fun activities such as face-painting, a lovable clown, volleyball games, and a delightful musical treat - performer and singer Ron Cahute from Canada, better known to his many young fans as "Mr. Barabolya."

The underlying message throughout the event was: "Support the new building project of The Ukrainian Museum." The promotion of this message was expertly organized as well. There were various raffles, worthy prizes, striking T-shirts with the now familiar and eye-catching Stride & Ride to Build logo, and many, many words of encouragement to support this project.

They came from the energetic and dynamic master of ceremonies of the event, Roman Kyzyk, who conducted the proceedings with great conviction for the cause, as well as from Olha Hnateyko, president of the museum's board of trustees, who spoke during the picnic about the importance of the new museum building to the greater Ukrainian community.

By mid-day, even the youngest participants were aware of the special nature of this day and eagerly spouted the "support the museum" slogan.

It must be emphasized that for the most part this event was funded by donations - food from supermarkets and specialty stores, prizes from various retailers, and monetary endorsements from private individuals, companies and financial concerns in New York City and New Jersey. The major sponsors of the event were: Ron Cahute and his Barabolia Show, East Village Meat Market, McSorley's, Met Foods (Second Avenue), Kinkos (New Jersey), S. Kurowycky & Son, Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union, Self Reliance (NJ) Federal Credit Union in Clifton and Tretina Printing.

The Stride & Ride organizers did a tremendous job soliciting funds and goods. Their expert handling of the multitude of details (from initial advertising to final clean-up) comprised an undertaking of such scope that is to be greatly admired. There was also wonderful cooperation on the part of many participants during the event, who pitched in and helped with every task for the benefit of all.

The money raised during the second Stride & Ride event was earmarked for the new building of The Ukrainian Museum, particularly for a special project the organizers had proposed to the museum's board of trustees. The project is designed to expand on the museum's educational agenda to include the creation of a program in the new facility specifically oriented toward children. The preliminary proposals call for an interactive setting, where children of Ukrainian descent can experience the wealth and values of their ancestral heritage, and have the opportunity to share them with children of other cultures.

The construction of the new museum facility is in progress on East Sixth Street in New York City. The building will house the collections of The Ukrainian Museum, and provide exhibition galleries and space for educational and community related events. The new museum building, when completed, will be a representation of the cumulative support of people in the Ukrainian communities in the United States and abroad. The financial, moral and hands-on endorsements of thousands of individuals, numerous businesses and organizations over the years have helped to sustain the museum's activities and now, have underwritten the construction of a new, modern museum facility.

Thus, the organizers of the Stride & Ride to Build event - Anna Hanas-Hnateyko, Roma Slobodian-Odulak, Mimi Raihl-Polansky, Olenka Czerwoniak-Terlecky, Daria Bakalec-Temnycky and Tamara Tershakovec - are following a proud tradition.

For information contact: The Ukrainian Museum, 203 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003; telephone, (212) 228-0110; e-mail, info@ukrainianmuseum.org; webpage, www.ukrainianmuseum.org.

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