NOVEMBER 20, 2019
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UWAC St. Ol’ha’s Branch Last Supper
The members of the UWAC St. Ol’ha’s Branch in front row from left to right: Past President- Annie Zaharichuk, President- Rose Hook Dobr. Irena, Father Slawomir, Dobr. Anna Puk, Secretary- Anne Soldan, TreasurerGladys Palahniuk. In back row from left to right: Cindy Polischuk, Joan Charuk, First Vice President- Edna Rawluk, Lorriane Sybulka, Judy Maggs, Fiona Sorochan, Second Vice President- Melitta Zubritsky-, Vicki Triska, Helen Shewchuk. Missing from photo: Lillian Czar, Medoria Eliuk, Elaine Grykuliak, mary Harasowich, Brenda Hunka, Anne Kotyshen, Veronica Litun, Olga Semotiuk, Helen Zubreski and Mary Eliuk. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)
Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent
Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada (UWAC) St. Ol’ha’s Branch has made such an impact in the community for 85 years! On November 17, they gathered for a final photo and to enjoy their last supper together as a group at Vito’s. To preserve the memories of their fellowship together and contributions, Secretary for Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada (UWAC) St. Ol’ha’s Branch, Anne Soldan researched and wrote the history and legacy from 1933-2018 of this organization. Anne discovered from her research that on May 3, 1933, a meeting was held at the home of Oksana Kereliuk, attended by nine ladies, who became chartered members. Later in the month of May another meeting was held at which time they became affiliated with the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, under the name of St. Ol’ha’s Branch of Vegreville, Alberta. The membership fee was 25 cents per year. To raise funds to help build a church, monthly teas were held at members’ homes; guests were invited from the community and charged a fee. In November 1933, the first bazaar was held and it became an annual event. In 1934, the membership increased to 19 ladies. During World War II, the ladies were very active, knitting, sewing and quilting for the Red Cross. The ladies of the St. Ol’ha’s Branch purchased War Saving Stamps and Victory Bonds, sent generous parcels of food to the soldiers overseas and to the Ukrainian canteen in England. The group’s biggest fundraiser was from 1942 to 1979 at the Annual Vegreville Exhibition Grounds where we catered to 70 farm boys and girls for three meals a day for three days, as well as, catering to the exhibition’s attendees. Throughout the years, Sunday school and Ukrainian School were under the guidance and supervision of St. Ol’ha’s Branch. Enrollment was as high as 78 in Sunday school and 84 in Ukrainian School. In 1955, the members submitted their favorite recipes and a cookbook was produced. 2000 copies were printed and were all sold out. In 1962 on a smaller scale an Easter Bake Sale was introduced, was a great success and as the years past, it became an annual fundraiser. A bake sale and luncheon was held each November annually until November 2018.
In 1963, St. Ol’ha Branch celebrated a 30th Anniversary with 95 members in attendance. From 1976 to 1993 the ladies undertook the operation of the food concession during the Vegreville Pysanka Festival. This proved to be a very successful fundraising project. Throughout the years, the group financially assisted the youth in their church, as well as, community schools, including summer camps and scholarships. The UWCA canvassed for various charities and when called upon in times of need, they gave financial assistance to needy families, orphans, fire victims as well as various charitable organizations within and outside our community. The main role as an organization has always been in the fundraising and preservation of their church. The member’s commitment and dedication allowed the UWCA to accomplish so many great things tasks with love and harmony during the ’85 years’. As the membership has aged and many are living in care facilities it is with heartfelt sorrow that the current membership of the St. Ol’ha’s Branch is announcing that it is officially disbanding as of December 4, 2019.
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