Ukrainian Gold Cross supports first-aid education among Ukrainian youth (08/27/00)

Ukrainian Gold Cross supports first-aid education among Ukrainian youth

CHICAGO - Chapter 12 of the Ukrainian Gold Cross (UGC) of America recently mailed out 240 first-aid booklets to 12 Ukrainian youth camps in the United States and Canada. The project was supported by a grant from the Foundation of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA Foundation) in an ongoing effort to increase medical literacy and knowledge throughout the Ukrainian diaspora and specifically among youth.

UGC Chicago Chapter President Anna Kuzyk approached the UMANA Foundation with a proposal to supply camp counselors of various Ukrainian youth groups with up-to-date first aid manuals for use at their camps. The foundation approved this modest project, and, in a joint effort aided by current data gleaned from the Internet, both organizations compiled a master list of 12 youth camps in session throughout the United States and Canada this summer.

The foundation was able to obtain 240 booklets published by the American Medical Association. Ms. Kuzyk and UGC member Ivanna Harasowska as well as UMANA Foundation President George Hrycelak met in July at the foundation offices in Chicago to pack and ship the manuals to the following camps: Plast Camp - East Chatham, N.Y.; Plast Camp - North Collins, N.Y.; Plast Camp - Middlefield, Ohio; Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) - Ellenville, N.Y.; SUM Camp - Baraboo, Wisc.; SUM Camp - Webster, N.Y.; SUM Camp - Seven Hills, Ohio; Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada - Toronto; Ukrainian Orthodox Church School Camp - Butler, Pa.; ODUM Camp - Oshawa, Ontario; Ukrainian Sitch Sports School - Glen Spey, N.Y.; and Ukrainian Gold Cross Children's Camp - Lehighton, Pa.

The Ukrainian Gold Cross of America, founded in 1931 in New York, is one of the earliest Ukrainian women's groups organized in the United States. To avoid confusion with the International Red Cross, the original name of Ukrainian Red Cross was changed to Ukrainian Gold Cross in 1940, when the U.S. State Department granted it status as an international humanitarian aid society.

During its nearly 70 years of existence the UGC has served numerous groups and individuals, ranging from Ukrainian freedom fighters, political prisoners, refugees, and victims of natural and man-made catastrophes to widows, orphans, the aged, as well as the needy. During World War II the UGC contributed fully to the American war effort and supported the American Red Cross with financial and physical assistance.

Currently the UGC helps children survivors of the Chornobyl disaster at its youth camp in Lehighton, Pa., and supports youth camps in various cities of Ukraine. Orphans and the elderly are aided by financial and medical donations, and qualified students receive scholarships. The National Office of UGC functions under the direction of Natalia Iwaniw.

The UMANA Foundation is a not-for-profit humanitarian, educational and scientific organization whose goals are to further the development of medical knowledge, information, and literacy throughout existing Ukrainian communities.

For further information write to: UMANA Foundation, 2247 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; or call 1-888-RX-UMANA.

| Home Page |