Ukrainian American Club collecting food, toys for holidays

The monthly membership meeting of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”). The meeting is open to all, and there is no admission fee. Visitors and potential members are welcome.

Members are being asked to bring nonperishable (canned and boxed) food items and unwrapped children’s gifts to the meeting.

The food items will be donated to the Salvation Army, as the club has done in previous years, and the toys will be donated to the city of North Port’s annual Toy Chest Program for distribution to local children ages 14 and under. The contribution of members’ food and toys will hopefully make a difference in the lives of children and families living in our community.

Next week’s meeting will be the last before the club’s traditional Christmas party on Dec. 5. Anna Mariani, party chairwoman, would like to welcome several more volunteers to the committee, to ensure that this year’s party is even more successful than last year.

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 Officers and members of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans are busy selling tickets for the traditional Veterans Day buffet luncheon, which will be held at noon Nov. 12 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port.

According to the reports, tickets, at $25 per person, are selling well and there are not many left. Tickets won’t be available at the door.

In addition to the tasty food prepared by the Heron Creek staff, there will be an interesting program and surprises.

Three Ukrainian Armed Forces colonels, members of the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base liaison team are to be guests at the luncheon.

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 Yara Litosch, chairwoman of the annual picnic of North Port Branch 56 of “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian Ladies), wishes to remind and invite everybody to the traditional and very popular picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Maxine Barritt Park, next to Sharky’s in Venice.

There will be a buffet luncheon with delicious food and desserts, bingo, door prizes and a short program, all for $8 per person.

As reported in last week’s column, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America is celebrating its 90th anniversary. In connection with this observance, an exhibit “Ukrainian Women Artists of the Diaspora,” is taking place in New York City. One of the exhibitors is Branch 56 member Patricia Zalisko.

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  News from Ukraine: Ukrainians will go to the polls Sunday to elect officials in all oblasts, counties, cities, towns and villages. Many consider this election to be a referendum on the parties in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s national parliament.

 

Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun.

He can be emailed at atanask@aol. com.

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn