On June 21, 2015, sumivtsi from southern Ontario gathered to celebrate Sviato Vesny, the official end to the CYM year and start of the summer camp season. Youth and adult members along with their families from St. Catharines, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Hamilton and Toronto branches were present on Sunday. Members of the National Executive were also on hand to join in the festivities.
The day began with a Divine Liturgy at the camp’s chapel of Saints Volodymyr and Olga celebrated by Fr. Taras Dusanowskyj. This being Father’s Day, at the end of Mass he encouraged the youth to thank their fathers, grand- and godfathers in wishing them Mnohaja Lita. Then, under the musical accompaniment of the Baturyn Marching Band, sumivtsi in their uniforms, marched over to the stage for the official program of the day. The UYA’s National Educational Council Director, Irene Shust-Dankowycz, and the President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Paul Grod, were on hand to welcome everyone. Youth as young as 6 years old, all the way to young-adult member’s received their badges and were upgraded in their standings within the organization after a year of hard work and fun times with their friends.
After the official portion of the festival, sumivtsi and their guests had the chance to lunch with friends and family at the camp. Later in the afternoon many gathered again in front of the main stage to participate in a Walk-a-thon with the goal to raise funds to send internally displaced children, and children whose fathers are fighting or were killed in the war in Eastern Ukraine, to summer camps and bring at least temporary normalcy into their lives. Thanks to the generosity of our members we are pleased to announce that we collected $1,610 not including an additional donation by the St. Catharines Branch over $1,200. We call upon all of you to make your generous donation today !
Tired from walking and exhausted by the warm temperatures, participants had the chance to cool off by jumping into the pool and to finish the day in a relaxed atmosphere.
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