Clifton parish hosts benefit for Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (12/19/04)

Clifton parish hosts benefit for Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund

WAYNE, N.J. - The Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Clifton, N.J., hosted its fourth annual gala banquet to benefit the joint campaign of Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund and the Ukrainian Orthodox Ministries to aid destitute orphanages in Ukraine on Sunday, October 23.

The charity event took place at The Grand Chalet; it featured the theme of "New York, New York" and included a silent auction, door prizes and raffles as well as a sit-down dinner.

Among the guests of honor were Olympic and World skating champion Viktor Petrenko, his wife, Nina, and daughter, Viktoria, who received a warm welcome and mingled freely with many of the guests. Before and after the dinner, parishioners danced to popular show tunes and jazz standards performed by the Anthony St. James Orchestra which has performed at many historic functions in the Metropolitan New York area, including the reopening of the Statue of Liberty following the 9/11 tragedy. Speaking on behalf of the orchestra, lead singer Bonnie Goodman expressed the sentiments of many, saying "It's been an honor to participate in such a worthy cause."

The program co-chairman, Richard Jendras, welcomed the guests and thanked all the sponsors who donated gifts and cash contributions to help orphans in Ukraine.

During his benediction, Hieromonk Daniel Zelinsky, pastor of Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church spoke of the importance of the orphanage campaign that has helped to improve living conditions at the Zaluchia Children's Home in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast and the Znamianka Orphanage in the Kirovohrad Oblast.

"As Christians, we have a duty to help our fellow man, and especially the least of our brethren. No one could be more deserving of this aid than these innocent children who have suffered the effects of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster." Father Daniel told the audience that he was himself a survivor of Chornobyl, having marched in the May Day parades in 1986 when radioactive fallout reached very dangerous levels. "Today, these children are suffering from terrible birth defects because of their parents' nuclear exposure."

Nadine Drost, the co-organizer of the October 23 function expressed thanks to Jennie Arson, Marian Jendras, Barbara Leshchyshyn and all the members of the Senior UOL who made generous donations for the gala. Roxana Hajda and Marko Hajda of Rutherford, N.J., served as MCs for the silent auction and raffle. The grand prize was a high-definition television set. A special feature of this year's gala was the distribution of "Orphan Teddy Bears" symbolizing the 120 children living at the Zaluchia Orphanage now adopted by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Since 2001 the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, with the help of donors and volunteers from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has made key capital improvements to both orphanages. CCRF has provided laundry machines and dryers, new mattresses and cleaning agents, wheelchairs and walkers, winter clothing and medical supplies. The fund has also replaced the floors and roof at the Zaluchia facility to help bring it up to a more livable standard.

"You have made a real difference in these children's lives," said Alexander Kuzma, executive director of CCRF. Mr. Kuzma praised the work of young Orthodox missionaries who have visited each orphanage over the past two summers, providing physical therapy, arts programs and humanitarian assistance to the disabled children.

According to Ms. Drost, the evening raised over $4,500 for the orphanage campaign. "We're definitely planning to repeat this fund-raiser next year."

For more information, or to make a tax-deductible contribution, please contact the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, 272 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ 07078, or call (973) 376-5140; or contact the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (USA) at P.O. Box 495, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880 (732) 356-0090.

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