A bittersweet day for Stryi - The Ukrainian Weekly

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THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011
No. 15
All the members of the Chortopolokhy sorority in attendance at the fund-raiser.
Peter Korduba
A model in party wear.
Nadia Nynka
by Nadia Nynka
WHIPPANY, N.J. – Over 270 women celebrated the
first day of spring with a “Garden Party” held on March
20 at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New
Jersey (UACCNJ).
This sold-out event, consisting of a luncheon, raffle
and fashion show, was a fund-raiser to benefit the
Vovcha Tropa Camp of Plast Ukrainian Scouting
Organization, located in East Chatham, N.Y. The Garden
Party Fashion Show and Luncheon was planned, organized
and carried out by the Plast sorority
Chortopolokhy, under the leadership of co-chairs Lida
Lewycky and Katia Steciuk.
The day started at 1 p.m. with the opportunity to purchase
raffle tickets and view over 40 gift baskets that
would be raffled off later in the day. The gifts were
beautifully displayed in the library of the UACCNJ.
While enjoying a complimentary glass of wine, the
guests browsed the gifts, mingled and chatted with many
friends they hadn’t seen in a while.
Once guests were invited into the ballroom, they
found it decorated in the Chortopolokhy color – purple.
Purple napkins were set off by a white tablecloth and a
centerpiece of potted colorful forget-me not-spansies.
Pictures of Vovcha Tropa campers were displayed on
each table and scattered in frames throughout the lobby
as a reminder of what the fund-raiser was about.
Nadia Nynka, president of the Chortopolokhy sorority,
welcomed the guests and thanked them for the great
turnout and their generous support of the event. She
ended by inviting them to prayer prior to the meal with
the singing of “Otche Nash” (Our Father).
The fashion show started as coffee and dessert were
being served. Karen Antonelli, owner of Karen’s
Boutiques, “The Place for Women with Style,” located
in Spring Lake, N.J., introduced the fashions for spring.
The models used a runway especially constructed for
this event, giving all guests an excellent view. The fashions
that were modeled included everything from casual
wear to evening wear and accessories. All items being
modeled were also available for sale, and many of the
guests took the opportunity to make purchases.
Following the fashion show, Chrystia Chraplyva,
chairlady of the raffle committee, called out the winning
tickets. Over 40 gifts were raffled, with each gift valued
at least $150 – and much higher. The gifts included
items such as a coffee brewing system, handbags, jewelry,
designer perfumes, a digital camera, luggage, a dinner
ware set for eight, Microsoft Office 2010, a Kindle,
a laptop, an LCD TV, an iPod docking station, a week in
St. Maarten, a weekend golfing outing, diamond earrings,
and much, much more.
At the conclusion of the event, Darka Temnycky,
president of the executive board of Vovcha Tropa’s managing
committee, thanked all the guests for their support
and spoke of the many years the camp has served several
generations of Plast scouts. “Your attendance here
today will brighten the experience for the next generation,”
she underscored.
Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations
who donated money or gift items, advertised in the
program booklet, or provided services at no cost, as well
as of all the guests who came to the event and purchased
raffle tickets, the event generated a clear profit of
$14,000. A check for this amount will be written by the
Chortopolokhy and presented to Darka Temnycka at a
special ceremony in April.
A model in an evening gown.
Nadia Nynka
Members of committee that organized the Garden Party Fashion Show and Luncheon.
Peter Korduba
Tusia Danyliw
Luba Bilowchtchuk claims her prize at the conclusion
of the gift raffle.