California Association to Aid Ukraine holds annual benefit banquet (04/30/00)

California Association to Aid Ukraine holds annual benefit banquet

by Roman I. Mykytyn and Luba Poniatyszyn Keske

STUDIO CITY, Calif. - On the evening of February 19, the California Association to Aid Ukraine (CAAU) hosted its annual fund-raising banquet. Scores of Ukrainians gathered at the Sportsmen's Lodge here, for a night of dinner and dancing.

The semi-formal event was organized to benefit the CAAU's current project, "Educate Ukrainian Orphans from Cradle to High School and Beyond."

Notable attendees included well-known, Oscar-winning actor Jack Palance, along with his brother, John and daughter, Holly, as well as Dr. and Mrs. William Selezinka and Dr. and Mrs. Rostyslav Stoyka. Also, members from the multi-national satellite-deploying organization "Sea Launch" were present, as was David Richard, executive director and founder of Wheels for Humanity, a good friend of CAAU. In general, there was a higher proportion of younger guests this year, yielding a diverse mix of people.

Guests first enjoyed a cocktail hour that provided an opportunity for them to make new acquaintances, and rekindle old ones. Afterwards, dinner was served, as opening remarks were delivered by CAAU President Dr. Roman Kulczycky and event chairman, Zenon Zachariasewych.

Following dinner, guests were invited to dance into the night. The band International Music from San Francisco, provided a mix of classic ballroom sounds, contemporary rock-and-roll, as well as rhythm and blues.

The fund-raising campaign began with the Kobzar Choir's Christmas Concert in December of 1999 and was followed-up with this event. Approximately $28,000 was raised as a result of these two events.

The following day, still basking in the glow of the successful CAAU Ball, more than 20 people joined the CAAU leadership at the brunch following the liturgies.

On an atypically rainy Southern California day, guests again gathered at the Sportsmen's Lodge, which overlooks a serene pond filled with colorful exotic fish and graceful swans. However, spirits were not dampened as all gathered in a semi-private room warmed by a cozy fireplace.

Here, among old and new friends, people from all walks of life and ages, but with many things in common, came together to share a meal, their experiences and to exchange ideas. Some talked about the good time they had at the ball, while Mr. and Mrs. Koziak, who came from Canada to visit their children and grandchildren, described their adventures in Ukraine 20 years ago.

Zoryana Keske, who traveled to Ukraine last October where she visited orphanages in Kyiv and surrounding areas on behalf of CAAU, shared her heart-felt experiences and photos of some of the orphans with the young people at her table, including CAAU's two new board members, Nadine Hewko and Andrea Wynnyk.

Her presentation sparked an enthusiastic response from the younger generation and Luba Hryciw, Marta Dowbucz, Lecia Chopko along with Susan Koziak, spoke about future trips to Ukraine and ways to help the children living there.

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