Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation.
The Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF) has successfully hosted a series of Gala Fundraising Events in Canada: in Toronto on Nov. 14, in Montreal on Nov. 15 and in Calgary on Nov. 20. The fundraisers were held in support of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) based in Lviv. This year’s events were launched under the motto “A New Generation for a New Ukraine” and were focused on the public phase of UCU’s $65 million Comprehensive Campaign to enable the University to continue opening new academic programs and developing the infrastructure.
The Toronto event was held at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex where the guests were served an elegant dinner. Alongside, a silent auction was held consisting of fine Ukrainian prints, photographs, paintings, heritage books and handmade ornamentation. The auction raised over $6,600.
In Montreal, the UCEF hosted a brunch at the Centre Mont-Royal. The Fundraising Event in Calgary concluded the gala series with an evening at St. Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Cultural Centre.
Each event was accompanied by a program of distinguished speakers encapsulating different points of view about the current Ukraine and the University. The guest speakers were: Diane Francis – the National Post's editor-at-large, bestselling author, and award winning columnist; Pavlo Sheremeta – head of the UCU's School of Public Management and former Minister of Economic Development and Trade for Ukraine; and Sofiya Opatska – founder of the Global Shapers Project and Founding Dean of the Lviv Business School at UCU who specializes in human resource management and the building of new learning organizations. Sofiya Opatska was a keynote speaker for the Calgary event.
The night in Toronto was capped off with music by Maria Burmaka whose soulful lyrics and heartfelt songs were met by a standing ovation. The love she has for the UCU and Ukraine was felt through her passionate expression which concluded the event’s program.
The UCEF is proud to announce that, at the three gala events, the UCEF donors, government and business leaders, together with the event sponsors rose over $370,000. The UCEF would like to use this opportunity to thank the speakers, Friends of UCU Committees and volunteers for their time, dedication, and effort in helping organize the fundraising events across Canada.
UCEF’s appreciation goes to the humorous Toronto MC's, John Moskalyk and Marichka Melnyk, and the volunteers from all the events. A special thank you to the Toronto Friends of the Ukrainian Catholic University: Renata Roman, Olia Kalymon, Tania Melnyk, Danusia Wysochanskyj, Oksana Sawras, Halyna Rudavska, Anna Kisil, Lesia Semcesen, and Maria Szkambara; Calgary Friends of UCU Committee: Rev. Peter Babej, Rev. Mark A Bayrock, Donald J. Bobyn, Rev. Michael Bohun, Dr. Gerard Charanduk – The Art of Dentistry, Dr. Michael Danylak, Dr. Antonio Hurtado, Andrew M. Ilnycky, Deborah Johnson, Intuitive Healer Donna Korchinski, Janice R. M. Kowch, Dr. Edward J. Krakiwsky, Nataliya Markevych, Dr. Allan Oryschak, Dennis J. Sokoloski, Brett Strutynski, Flo Volcko – Your Calgary Home Professional; Montreal Friends of UCU Committee: Yury Monczak, Eugene Struminsky, Vera Osidacz, Irene Powidajko, Anya Harasymowycz, Marko Bednarczyk, and also special thanks to Orysia Korol, Roma Kupchynsky, Nadia Demko, Bohdanna Moczak, Mary Ann Nestorowich, Zorian Stech and Julia Hnativ from UCU for organizing a successful event in Montreal.
The UCEF calls upon the community to stay tuned for the upcoming events and join its mailing list by writing at [email protected]. The UCEF invites everyone to continue standing in solidarity and supporting UCU's educational standards grounded in ethics, principles, and a vision for a new Ukraine.
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