New York, NY (UCCA) – Members of the UCCA NYC Branch once again organized a table for the annual Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church festival the weekend of May 16-18, 2008.  The purposeof the table was to disseminate information about the work of the UCCA and particularly, to raise awareness about one of the most tragic chapter’s in Ukraine’s history - the Holodomor of 1932- 1933. 

President Yushchenko wears a UCCA NYC Branch-initiated “Voices for Victims – Ukraine’s Genocide 32-33” silicone wristband during a recent meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Yushchenko Plug helps UCCA NYC Branch

spread Truth about Ukraine’s 1932-33 Genocide

Additionally the table was set up to raise funds for the work of the UCCA NYC Branch and the Ukrainian Genocide memorial in Washington, DC. By selling UCCA NYC Branch-initiated “Walk Against Genocide” t-shirts and “Voices for Victims – Ukraine’s Genocide 32-33” silicone wristbands, NYC Branch members successfully raised over $1300 for the building of the Ukrainian Genocide memorial in Washington, DC.

A great help was a photo of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko, who, only days before, was photographed at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council in Kyiv, Ukraine wearing the “Voices for Victims” Genocide wristband. The table proudly displayed the photograph while answering questions from curious passersby about the purpose of the wristband and Ukraine’s Genocide of 1932-33. “The photograph was a conversation starter – it drew in the crowds and allowed our members to explain the truth about the Holodomor, as well as encouraged those interested to purchase wristbands and t-shirts and support this worthy cause,” stated NYC Branch Chairperson, Ivanka Zajac.

The UCCA NYC Branch was also successful in spreading the word about their upcoming “Walk Against Genocide” in Lower Manhattan slated for Tuesday, May 27, 2008. The Walk will be part of the International Holodomor Torch Relay, which will be traveling throughout 33 countries before heading back to Ukraine for the official state ceremony. UCCA NYC Branch members are very hopeful that there will be a successful turnout at their May 27 event.

from left to right:  Manning the table at St. George’s Ukrainian festival, Ivanka Zayac, Chairperson – UCCA NYC Branch; Olya Hryhorach, UCCA NYC Branch Member-at-Large; Tamara Olexy, UCCA Executive Director; Lesya Orach, UCCA NYC Branch Member-at-Large; Stefan Slutsky, Editor – The National Tribune; Liza Szonyi, UCCA Administrative Assistant; Nataliya Lopatska , Secretary - UCCA NYC Branch

Ivanka Zayac, Chairman – UCCA NYC Branch, teaches the youngest generation about

the Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933

President Yushchenko wears a UCCA NYC Branch-initiated “Voices for Victims – Ukraine’s Genocide 32-33” silicone wristband during a recent meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine.