LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (12/13/98)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Donors can help prevent blindness

Dear Editor:

Preserving the eyesight of individuals suffering from diabetes or glaucoma in Ivano-Frankivsk, is a priority that needs to be addressed immediately. In my six trips to Ivano-Frankivsk during the past six years, I have found that a desperate need exists to obtain a laser and train an ophthalmologist in its appropriate use for eye surgery.

It is imperative that we do all we can to alleviate the pain and suffering, rather than allow these patients to succumb to blindness.

Presently, there is no laser available in Ivano-Frankivsk that can be used for eye surgery. Travel to Kyiv or Odesa, the closest locations where such equipment is available, is difficult (if not impossible) for those patients who require several treatments to achieve the necessary results.

I have negotiated the purchase of a $70,000 laser unit for approximately $38,000, including lenses and accessories. It appears that I may be able to obtain a matching grant from Lions International for half the required amount. The RB Lions, of which I am a member, has agreed to be a sponsor, and has pledged $5,000, and the California Association to Aid Ukraine has pledged $2,000. We still need approximately $12,000.

I appeal to readers of The Ukrainian Weekly to help us prevent blindness by donating to the Laser Fund through the California Association to Aid Ukraine (CAAU), a tax-exempt organization under IRS Code 501(3)(c), ID# 95-4352938. Please make your check payable to CAAU, note that it is for the Laser Fund, and mail it to: CAAU, 5325 Teasdale Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91607

Pledges and donations need to be recorded by the end of December 1998 in order for us to apply for the Lions International Matching Grant.

Please help us meet our goal. Time is short.

William Selezinka, MD, FACS
San Diego

The writer is emeritus professor of ophthalmology.

Re: participating in United Way

Dear Editor:

In his recent letter to the editor of The Ukrainian Weekly, Bohdan Nehaniv of Troy, Mich., asks why more Ukrainian charitable organizations are not recognized by the United Way's Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) for federal workers. This is an important question, as a number of our non-profit agencies could benefit from United Way earmarks not only by federal workers but also by employees of private companies, state and city governments.

In recent years, the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund has been fortunate to receive donations through the United Way in several counties because employees specifically asked to have the CCRF listed among their giving options. Two years ago, we worked together with the United Way of Scranton, Pa., to organize a successful golf tournament with football players from the NFL. Unfortunately, the United Way requires the initiative of local donors to ensure that the CCRF and other important charities remain included in the list of alternative charities.

Supporters of Ukrainian charities need to be aware that nearly all United Way campaigns are organized on an independent basis, usually county-by-county. Local businesses and their employees have a much greater voice in setting the roster of designated charities than the national office of the United Way. Local participants in the United Way must request that their preferred Ukrainian charity be listed on their local roster. Requests from three or more employees may be sufficient to get Ukrainian charities on the list.

There is tremendous pressure on each United Way chapter to meet its fund-raising goals for certain designated charities within the local community. Campaign chairmen are not especially eager to extend payroll deductions to other non-designated groups. However, their campaign will get credit for the total amount of funds gathered through the United Way Appeal. If they understand that a number of Ukrainian American donors would be likely to give more generously to charities of their choice, they may agree to the request.

Besides the United Way, employees often fail to take advantage of another valuable option for strengthening their corporate contribution. Many employers have "matching gift" programs that double or even triple the size of their employees' contributions to their favorite charities. The CCRF and other Ukrainian community-based charities could sharply increase their budgets if more donors in our community were mindful of this option. It is a shame to waste this opportunity or to dilute the potential impact of one's generosity.

We are grateful to Mr. Nehaniv for drawing attention to this issue, and we will do everything within our influence to increase the visibility of our programs through the United Way.

Orest T. Dubno
New Haven, Conn.

The writer, chairman of the board of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund and former revenue commissioner for the State of Connecticut, played a leading role in several local United Way campaigns.

The Famine was act of genocide

Dear Editor:

The November 15 issue of The Ukrainian Weekly ran an editorial, "Famine denial," and several news items referring to the same Famine. Many readers will know that you were referring to the genocide in Ukraine in 1933, but will not learn that the Famine was used along with executions and exile to Siberia as part of Stalin's genocide scheme.

Groups that arrange public memorials with the intention of informing the non-Ukrainian American public about the 1933 genocide in Ukraine, referring to it as a famine instead of genocide, are losing the opportunity to use appropriate terminology and thus diminish the impact of these events.

J.B. Gregorovich
Mount Forest, Ontario

The writer is chairman of the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

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