A CALL TO ACTION (05/23/99)

A CALL TO ACTION

Let's Stop the Hunger Committee aims to help the needy in Ukraine

TORONTO - Tens of thousands of people in Ukraine go hungry each day. And the number is growing steadily. This critical food shortage is due to poor economic conditions, recent floods and general poverty. Most negatively affected are children and the elderly.

In 1998, social service groups in Ukraine contacted the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services Inc. (UCSS) of Canada to spearhead a fund-raising campaign in Canada. Over $70,000 was raised, enabling 12 soup kitchens and 15 food banks to open, or get ready to open in Ukraine.

Now, a newly organized group, known as the Let's Stop the Hunger Committee, is determined to double the number of soup kitchens and food banks located in Ukraine this year. The committee functions under the auspices of the UCSS.

"It's such a tragedy that young and old alike in Ukraine are desperate for food. We, residing in such a prosperous country as Canada, are unaware of how poor and undernourished the people in Ukraine really are," stated Maria Stebelsky, president of the UCSS of Canada, national headquarters.

"For only $30 one individual can be fed for an entire month," she said. "A mere $1,000 will establish an entire soup kitchen. We are fortunate to have so much, yet others have so little."

Ms. Stebelsky noted that those fed in the soup kitchens or by food banks are so thankful for the assistance that they offer to do community work as a token of their appreciation.

The Let's Stop the Hunger campaign will be conducted throughout the month of May. Checks can be made payable to Pomich Ukraini Fund, c/o Let's Stop the Hunger, National Headquarters, 2445 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ontario M6S 1P7; tel/fax, (416) 766-5812. Receipts will be issued for donations $10 or greater; charitable No. 0560912 B/N891743973 RR001.

Minneapolis foundation arranges surgery for Ukraine's children

by Dr. Michael J. Kozak

MINNEAPOLIS - Highly skilled orthopedic surgical treatment for children from Ukraine - treatment not available for them in their homeland - can be procured here. For this reason, The Children of Ukraine Foundation was established in affiliation with St. Constantine's Ukrainian Catholic Church, where the Rev. Canon Michael Stelmach serves as pastor.

The foundation pays for transportation to and from Ukraine for the children and their mothers, along with room and board during the course of treatment. To date 12 children received such care. Two children are currently undergoing medical care, and two more will be arriving this summer.

Though medical care is free, living expenses for the children and their mothers are high, and the foundation's funds are getting low. Physicians donate their expertise, hospitals offer their facilities at no cost, and we, the Ukrainian community, should feel obligated to cover at least the living expenses of these unfortunate children and their mothers. After all, we live in a country that has fostered a strong tradition of helping the needy, and this is also our obligation as Christians.

We appeal to all people of goodwill, to please help these children: their lives are not easy and will not be easy if they do not obtain proper medical care.

Oksana Kuchma, for example, was born with a damaged spinal cord. Her right leg has no strength and only partial sensation. Her left leg has damaged joints. Unable to walk, she moves around on her hands and knees. Most of the time she is wheelchair-bound. She needs four highly skilled surgical procedures to correct her condition.

Marta Khan was born with displaced hips. She has undergone three surgical procedures and her condition has improved. Nonetheless, she needs more treatment.

Donations may be sent to: The Children of Ukraine Foundation, Acct. No. 2233, Ukrainian Credit Union, 301 Main St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413; or to St. Constantine's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 515 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

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