St. Andrew's Society reviews its charitable work (12/09/01)

St. Andrew's Society reviews its charitable work

by the Rev. Deacon Ihor Mahlay

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. - St. Andrew's Society of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. held its general membership Meeting on Friday, October 12, after the daily sessions of the 16th Sobor of the Church were concluded. During the meeting, held in the library of the Archdiocesan Center, reports were given by the officers of the society, the auditing review was accepted and elections of the officers for the upcoming term was held. Concluding the meeting was an open forum for discussion of the society's work .

This relatively small but very active organization of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., during the last three years, has raised $271,021 for its various programs of humanitarian and religious aid for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Seminaries in Ukraine received $52,000, soup kitchens for the elderly and St. Nicholas visits received $46,000, and publication of religious literature cost approximately $11,000.

Leading the list of programs or projects was the renovation of St. Michael's Cathedral and Monastery, which received $99,500. St. Michael's in Kyiv was recently rebuilt, replicating the historical complex that was destroyed on the orders of Joseph Stalin during the 1930s. The Kyiv Theological Seminary and Academy also is located in this complex. Various other projects through out Ukraine received smaller donations. Administrative costs of the society were a relatively low 2.6 percent.

The meeting of the society elected the following officers for the next term: Michael Heretz, president; Deacon Ihor Mahlay, executive vice-president; Halyna Hrushetsky, activities chair; Alexander Voronyn, public relations; Volodymyr Bakum, secretary; and Vitali Vizir, treasurer.

Three people were nominated and elected to the board of directors: Olga Liskiwsky Morgan, Mr. Vizir and Mr. Voronyn. The Auditing Committee include: Paul Micevych, Mykola Andrianiv and Mr. Skop.

In addition to continuing established programs of St. Andrew's Society, other projects being developed include the return of the original mosaics and frescoes to St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv and support of missionary priests in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Contributions to these various projects may be sent to: St. Andrew's Society, c/o Vitali Vizir, Treasurer, 1023 Yorkshire Drive, Los Altos, CA 94024.

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