Turning the pages back... December 11, 2000 (12/09/01)

Turning the pages back...

December 11, 2000

One year ago we reported on the beneficence of a Ukrainian American entrepreneur whose $3.5 million gift to The Ukrainian Museum will make it possible for that institution to have a spacious new home.

The gift enabled the museum to proceed with plans for the construction of a much-needed new building that will provide state-of-the-art accommodations, equipment, and meeting and exhibition space for its growing collection of more than 40,000 fine art objects and other material.

The unparalleled gift came from Eugene and Daymel Shklar, whose foundation supports and promotes Ukrainian studies and culture, as well as educational, cultural and health-care programs in Ukraine, Puerto Rico and other areas of the world. Mr. Shklar is a prominent entrepreneur, investor, co-founder and former executive of several successful high-tech companies.

The magnanimous gift was announced at a press conference on December 11, 2000. While $2.5 million was allocated for the building project, $1 million was designated as a "challenge grant" that will match, dollar for dollar, any additional gifts or grants received by the museum before January 31, 2002.

Olha Hnateyko, president of the museum's board of trustees, called the Shklar donation a princely gift - "what we refer to in Ukrainian as a 'kniazhyi dar' " - and said that the challenge grant "really challenges every single one of us to work hard; it's a tremendous opportunity for every human being of Ukrainian descent, for the younger generation and for our children."

In a brief address offered in both Ukrainian and English, Mr. Shklar said the gift honored his parents "for their courage in dodging bullets and cannon shells over 50 years ago in war-torn Europe," while pursuing their vision of a new life and liberty on this side of the Atlantic.

Born and reared in Canada, Mr. Shklar, 50, is the son of Volodymyr and Stefania Bahrij Shklar, who immigrated to Canada after World War II from the Husiatyn area in western Ukraine's Ternopil region. Raised in a home that nurtured a deep appreciation of his Ukrainian heritage, Mr. Shklar developed a great pride and respect for the contributions that his parents and the people of their generation had made to Canadian and American life.

Source: "$3.5M gift enables Ukrainian Museum to begin construction of new building" by Helen Smindak, The Ukrainian Weekly, December 17, 2000, Vol. LXVIII, No. 51.

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