Detroit UNWLA raises funds for needy children (02/03/02)

Detroit UNWLA raises funds for needy children

by Irene Pryjma

DETROIT - Saturday, November 10, 2001, was a day to remember. The Detroit Regional Council of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America and its members had decided months ago to have a fund-raiser for needy schoolchildren in Ukraine under the UNWLA's "Milk, Roll and Book" program. The ambitious program included a pre-Christmas bazaar and bake sale in the morning and early afternoon, followed in the evening with cocktails, a buffet dinner, a silent auction, a live auction and fine entertainment.

A committee was formed with Natalia Hewko, Detroit Regional Council president, and Anna Macielinski, vice-president, as committee chair. For nine months 42 UNWLA members participated in this committee preparing the benefit. The theme for the event was "Giving Angels," and indeed they were that.

The program and plans were carefully thought-out. Sponsors, donors and donations were solicited; items were received, purchased or consigned. A hundred specialty baskets were assembled, invitations sent, program and catalogue books compiled, flyers, advertisements and posters printed and distributed, program participants selected and contacted, and a special informational/recruitment UNWLA brochure was printed.

The holiday bazaar and bake sale went very well and closed at 3 p.m. The silent auction opened at 5 p.m. Baskets were assigned to categories such as health and beauty, jewelry, fine arts, home/ office/garden, Ukrainian artifacts, children's corner, sports/recreation and holiday items. In addition, gift certificates for gardening, flowers, shopping, personal service, vitamins, beauty salons, therapeutic massages, acupuncture, dental visits, piano lessons, instructions on embroidery, restaurants, jewelry, electronics and books, were laid out on tables according to category.

The live auction was a unique event. Dr. Roman Kolodchin very ably served as auctioneer; he was enthusiastic and kept the bidding moving at a fast pace. The audience responded by bidding up on fine art items, Ukrainian embroidered pillows, rushnyky, carved wooden gift boxes, a torte, a tray of napoleons delivered with a three-song medley, a Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper for eight (prepared and delivered), museum-quality complete Hutsul wedding attire for the bride, a ski vacation package, hockey tickets, a Toronto getaway, and an autographed picture of Canadian comedienne Luba Goy.

In the evening there was a two-part program of entertainment prepared by Program Chair Lida Kazevych, opened by Regional Council President Hewko and master of ceremonies Svetlana Korduba. The featured highlight of the evening was Canada's one and only queen of comedy, Luba Goy, co-star of TV's "Royal Canadian Air Farce," which spoofs the Canadian political scene. She appeared as "Queen Elizabeth" and, regally waving, greeted the crowd with a Manchesterian accent and received their accolades.

In the second part of the program the inimitable Luba came out with her impressions of Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Minister of Immigration Sheila Copps, Welfare Brenda the bingo player, and even Donald Duck. Her humorous anecdotes and personal reminiscences on being Ukrainian in a Canadian milieu were delightful. She had a message to all who have young, creative and budding artists, to encourage their aspiring talents and to let them enjoy theater, performing arts and other creative pursuits.

Other participants in entertainment were demonstration dancers Tony Canu and Natalka Cap (salsa), Gary and Oksana Gudz (ballroom), and the nine Soyuzianka Singers - in their premiere appearance - accompanied by Olga Dubriwna Solovey on piano. Prior to and during the buffet dinner there was lovely harp music by Paula Pinterper in keeping with the "Giving Angels" theme.

The event was a highly successful fund-raiser for the UNWLA "Milk, Roll and Book" program. The proceeds will provide many breakfasts and books for a larger number of children - nourishment for the body and enrichment for the mind.

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