NEWS AND VIEWS: California activist honored as Volunteer of the Year (08/13/00)

NEWS AND VIEWS

California activist honored as Volunteer of the Year

by Bohdan Z. Malaniak

LOS ANGELES - Since one of our members was recently recognized with a prestigious award for his volunteer work, I decided to browse the Internet for some statistics on volunteerism. I browsed and browsed, searched and searched, and found an overwhelming amount of information, yet I could not find the data for which I was looking.

Having worked for a major medical center for many decades, I decided to review the history of their volunteer force. I was amazed to learn that some 216,000 hours are donated each and every year by this group. The health care industry has long recognized the significance, importance and value of contributions made by volunteers.

The case of Dr. Roman Kulczycky, president of the California Association to Aid Ukraine (CAAU), underscores the fact that volunteerism in the United States plays a great role in many industries. He was this year's recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award from Wheels for Humanity, a non-profit organization based in North Hollywood, Calif., and a good partner of the CAAU.

His certificate of recognition notes: "Roman Kulczycky has devoted many thousands of hours refurbishing and distributing wheelchairs to those in need around the world as a volunteer for Wheels for Humanity since 1997."

It further states that Dr. Kulczycky was born in Ukraine, came to the United States in 1948 and became a citizen in 1954. He served in the United States Army, earning two Purple Hearts and other decorations during the Korean War.

The certificate also reads, "The Board of Directors of Wheels for Humanity, on behalf of all the members of the board, the organization, its volunteers and, most importantly, all the children and adults who have received the precious gift of mobility, for his extraordinary acts of charity and kindness, do hereby proclaim Roman Kulczycky to be the Volunteer of the Year for the year 2000."

Dr. Kulczycky received his award on May 19 at the magnificent Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Some 300 people were in attendance during the Wheels for Humanity awards and fund-raising event, which netted over $100,000 (most of which came from silent and live auctions).

Well-known comedian Tim Conway provided the audience with entertainment and laughter via his most humorous, inventive and creative comedy routines. Actor Jamie Cromwell, familiar to all through his many roles in western films, and his recent role as the tall, quiet farmer in the films "Babe" and "Babe in the City," warmly presented this year's award to Dr. Kulczycky.

Bohdan Mykytyn, treasurer of the CAAU, and I were very fortunate to have been asked to attend this event, courtesy of David Richard, executive director of Wheels for Humanity. Both of us were proud beyond imagination, to be able to see Dr. Kulczycky receive his well-deserved award.

In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Kulczycky said, "Volunteering for Wheels for Humanity and working with David Richard, the executive director, his staff and my peers, the volunteers, was a very rewarding and deeply satisfying experience for me." He concluded, "As a humanitarian, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to accept this award."

During an interview with CBS local news, which aired on television twice, on June 13 and 15, Dr. Kulczycky stated that he hoped he would be able to continue his work as a volunteer for at least another 10 years. CBS News referred to him as "Our Home Town Hero." Dr. Kulczycky was also acknowledged in local newspapers and on the radio.

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