Philadelphia-based charitable group raises funds to assist needy veterans

PHILADELPHIA - The Social Service of Ukrainian War Veterans is raising funds to help needy veterans. Though November is traditionally designated as disabled veterans' month, the fund-drive is continuing into the new year.

Based in Philadelphia, the organization assists war veterans in the United States and Ukraine. The Social Service has for years helped with medical costs and memorials, and has bettered people's lives in the process. Last year, over $40,000 was raised and allocated for assistance to needy veterans.

According to Jaroslaw Kaczaj, SSUWV administrator, among the cases handled by the charitable organization were these two:

• Ewhen Ohorodnyk, a disabled veteran of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) living in Poland, was fitted with an artificial limb thanks to funds made available by the SSUWV. In a letter to Joseph Trush, president of the Ukrainian War Veterans of America, he wrote: "I suffered for years with a wooden home-made artificial limb. My life was miserable and I could hardly move, but at the same time I had to work to provide for my family. Now with the new artificial limb made in Germany I feel as if I was reborn. I cannot find the proper words to express my gratitude to the good Ukrainian people who helped me in my distress."
  
  
• Through the cooperation of Messrs. S. Holub and W. Guzyk of Philadelphia, a headstone was placed on the grave of UPA veteran Wolodymyr Kaminskyj, who died more than 20 years ago, in 1978. Through the efforts of the SSUWV, the Brody-Lev Brotherhood financed the making and installation of the headstone.

For information or to donate contact: Social Service of Ukrainian War Veterans, Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center, 700 Cedar Road, Room-122A, Jenkintown PA 19046; (215) 663-9519.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, February 20, 2000, No. 8, Vol. LXVIII

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