A Ukrainian First: Kyiv Fundraiser A Smash
Despite the backdrop of a world financial crisis that is hitting Ukraine's already shaky economy especially hard, an UCU fundraiser held in Kyiv was a resounding success, raising over $100,000 (USD) and thereby proving the willingness of Ukrainians to generously support private educational initiatives despite their nation having no history of sustained charitable giving.
The event, which took place on October 11 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, attracted 200 enthusiastic supporters. Honored guests included the First Lady of Ukraine, Kateryna Yushchenko, who chairs the Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Fund; His Beatitude Lubomyr Cardinal Husar, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church; and Papal Nuncio to Ukraine Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic.
His Beatitude Lubomyr, who also serves as Grand Chancellor of UCU, asked those present to support UCU in word and deed as a unique university which unites academic excellence with a deep sense of spirituality. "This university is one of the few that is forming a spiritual elite for our nation and Church," he said. "Its graduates are not only qualified [to contribute to the work force] but are well-versed in Ukraine's spiritual culture and look at the world through the prism of spiritual values, of which we are now in exceptional need."
One of the first guests to arrive and one of the last to leave, Mrs. Yushchenko praised the university's commitment to reviving Ukraine's best traditions of moral, spiritual, and patriotic formation. "The Ukrainian Catholic University not only provides an education but is involved in the rebirth of the soul of our people," she said.
H. Kryshtalowych, head of the event's organizing committee, spoke about her fellow Ukrainians' enthusiasm for UCU. "The Kyiv Friends of UCU is a group
of self-sacrificing volunteers with initiative," she noted. “Understanding the value and uniqueness of the university, they sincerely want to help it grow and develop. These are generally émigrés from the Ukrainian diaspora who now live in Kyiv and hold leading posts in Ukrainian and international companies and wish to assist UCU, not only with their own donations but also by enlisting the support of their friends and business partners."
The $100,000 (USD) raised in Kyiv includes proceeds from ticket sales,
an auction, private gifts, and corporate sponsorships. The silent auction of art works raised $35,000. The major sponsors of the charity banquet included Coca-Cola, the PZU Ukraine insurance company, the international law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, IMTC-MEI, the DOMX real estate center, the ITT
investment group, and Kraft Foods Ukraine.
©EDUkraine Newsletter
