Newark-based Selfreliance opens credit union branch in Parsippany, N.J. (10/11/98)

Newark-based Selfreliance opens credit union branch in Parsippany, N.J.

by Roma Hadzewycz

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Ukrainian presence in Morris County has been strengthened with the opening on Sunday, September 27, of the Parsippany branch of the Newark-based Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union. The branch is located on the ground floor of the Ukrainian National Association's Corporate Headquarters at 2200 Route 10 (westbound).

Joseph Trush, chairman of the board of directors, and Ihor Laszok, president and chief executive officer, cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the branch office, as other board members looked on.

The blessing was conducted by the Rev. Uriy Markewych of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany, N.J., and the Rev. Oleh Hucul of Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Maplewood, N.J.

In brief remarks, Mr. Trush underlined that "although a credit union's first responsibility is to its members, we do not forget about our community - that is the foundation of our activity."

In turn, Mr. Laszok added that the credit union's decisions "are always based on how they will impact on the community." He explained that Selfreliance Newark had decided to open a branch in Morris County, where about 30 percent of its members live, as far back as three years ago and then commenced a search for an appropriate facility. That search did not bear fruit. However, when the Ukrainian National Association moved to Parsippany, the credit union saw the UNA Corporate Headquarters as a most promising site for its branch, he added.

Formerly known as Selfreliance (Newark, N.J.) Federal Credit Union, the credit union earlier this year replaced the Newark designation with the words "Ukrainian American" to denote its upcoming expansion.

Tapped to manage the branch is Mr. Koziupa, who has worked for Selfreliance Newark for seven years, most recently in the position of lending manager. An 11-year resident of Cedar Knolls, located just minutes from Parsippany, Mr. Koziupa explained that he personally has always derived satisfaction from his community work, therefore, he is proud to be associated with an organization that has donated approximately $300,000 to the community in the past five years.

Greetings to the new branch of Selfreliance UA Federal Credit Union were extended by Lew Futala, vice-president of the Ukrainian National Credit Union Association; Stefan Kaczaraj of the Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union, who also is treasurer of the Ukrainian National Association; Valentine Olynyk, the recently elected CEO of the Ukrainian Orthodox Federal Credit Union based in New York City, who attended the ceremony along with Bohdan Lesiw, South Bound Brook branch manager; Ihor Makarenko of the SUM Credit Union in Yonkers, N.Y.; and Roman Stelmach of Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union based in Philadelphia.

Jaroslaw Fedun, chairman of the Self Reliance New Jersey Federal Credit Union, which has a branch in Whippany just down the road from the UNA headquarters, extended a neighborly welcome to the new branch. "Three years ago we opened our branch, so we are your neighbors," he noted. Referring to the fact that there inevitably will be some rivalry between the two credit unions now located in Morris County, he said, "competition makes us strong if it is honest and positive."

Also present at the opening ceremonies were leaders of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council and the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada, as well as Morris County community representatives from such diverse organizations as the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) and Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization. A special guest of honor was Orest Lysynecky, a founding member in 1959 of Selfreliance Newark.

Once the formalities and greetings were over, all guests were invited to partake of a delicious buffet and to take a look at the credit union's new offices. All guests received gifts as a token of appreciation from Selfreliance UA Federal Credit Union.

The Parsippany branch of Selfreliance will be open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday. (For information call 973-451-0200.)

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