EDITORIAL: Saluting our seniors (06/13/99)

EDITORIAL

Saluting our seniors

Twenty-five years ago, an association of seniors affiliated with the Ukrainian National Association was founded. This year the organization, called the Ukrainian National Association Seniors, is celebrating its silver jubilee during the 25th Seniors Conference to be held at Soyuzivka on June 13-18. The anniversary of this significant organization is a fitting time to reflect on its activity.

The Ukrainian National Association Seniors assembled in 1974 in order to promote seniors' issues - most notably the construction of a home for senior citizens who are UNA'ers - and to serve as a sort of support group and social/community organization. The seniors first convened in November of 1975 and 52 seniors participated thanks to the organizational efforts of Stephen Kuropas, then supreme vice-president of the UNA. Since then, many other seniors have played leading roles in the organizations and the attractiveness of its seniors conference, now an annual gathering, has grown tremendously. This year Soyuzivka is filled to capacity for "Seniors Week."

At the 16th Seniors Conference on June 21, 1990, members unanimously adopted by-laws for the organization that delineate the purpose of the UNA Seniors as follows: to support the Ukrainian National Association in its endeavors to preserve and cultivate the Ukrainian heritage, to promote unity, to develop social activities and to maintain Ukrainian community life in America.

The seniors have kept these purposes in mind at each of their conferences. And they have seen to it that their activity is inclusive: all proceedings are bilingual, conducted in both the English and Ukrainian languages.

Their conferences have focused on Ukrainian folk and fine arts via exhibits, discussions, lectures and other presentations; their donations have supported such cultural mainstays as The Ukrainian Museum based in New York City.

The group has certainly done well in terms of promoting unity and social activities: members arrive for annual conferences from all corners of the United States and they participate in diverse activities ranging from sing-alongs of Ukrainian folk songs and field trips to hosting prominent guests speakers. They play bingo, shares slides and videos, organize bonfires and even learn square dancing. And there are more serious pursuits as well, including presentations offering legal advice on wills, trusts, etc.

The seniors also devote much time to discussion and reflection on topics such as the work of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University and current developments in Ukraine and within the Ukrainian diaspora.

The seniors always remember to support Ukrainian causes, whether that's the Babusia Fund for aid to needy elder women that functions under the aegis of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, or the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund. And they keep in the mind the needs of all generations via their support of Soyuzivka, which plays host to myriad activities for young and old. Last year, for example, realizing the financial assistance required by Soyuzivka, the UNA Seniors donated $1,000 earmarked for the resort to the Ukrainian National Foundation.

Our Ukrainian National Association Seniors have demonstrated through the years that they are active on all fronts. As we greet them at their 25th annual gathering we say: Long live the Ukrainian National Association Seniors - may your organization have many more productive years!

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