Friday, August 31, 2012

Looking Good!

Our Mississauga Branch underwent a mini makeover recently and we're really happy with the results! Will you be visiting our Mississauga branch anytime soon? It is located at 3635 Cawthra Rd.



For more pictures of the Mississauga reno, click HERE for our Facebook album.

Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Kalyna Kardash the winner of the Show us Your Tryzub contest!
Kalyna came across her tryzub in Rome, Italy and got a whopping 51 likes as of August 23rd 2012!

Kalyna, we hope you enjoy your Canon Powershot ELPH and keep on taking pictures of tryzubs!



Monday, August 27, 2012

Movie Night in the Park


Our branch in Thunder Bay teamed up with other local credit unions to sponsor "Movie Nights in the Park" at Marina Park in Thunder Bay. The first movie night took place on Friday, Aug. 24 and featured Jurassic Park.
People started gathering early for the 1st movie night.
The line up continues for the next three weeks with:

Aug. 31: The Lorax
Sept. 7: Back to the Future
Sept. 14: The Amazing Spiderman

Movies start at dusk. We recommend you bring a lawn chair and blanket to best enjoy the show. Admission is free. Concessions are also available as well as UCU Thunderstix (how appropriate for Thunder Bay!).

You can see more photos on our FB page in the Movie Night in Thunder Bay album.


Friday, August 24, 2012

Light the Night Walk


Each year, in communities across Canada, teams or families, friends, co-workers and local and national corporations come together to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's (LLSC's) Light The Night Walk events and bring help and hope to people battling blood cancers.

Lesia Maruschak is one of those walking below she shares her story and we welcome everyone to support her!




For more information about helping click HERE for more info.

Happy 21st Birthday Ukraine!

Maria Babiak, MSR at UCU's Sudbury branch is ready to great
members with some sweets in honour of Ukraine's 21th birthday.
Our branches are celebrating Ukrainian Indepedence Day today each in their own way. Up in Sudbury, the staff have dress the branch up in blue and yellow and put out some treats for the members who drop in.

There are some more pictures available on our Facebook page.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Elvis is alive and living in Windsor!

Elvis Tribute Artist Norm Ackland poses with
Mike Kryworuchko, branch manager at our Windsor branch.

Elvis Tribute Artist Norm Ackland, a long-time member at the UCU Windsor branch dropped in today after appearing at a promotional event for a national quick service restaurant chain. Norm operates King Entertainment,  a company that has been providing entertainment services including Elvis Tribute act, disc jockeying, karaoke and more for over 20 years in the Windsor Essex country area.

He also has a painting business called Norm Ackland Painting that provides residential and commercial painting services.

You can read more about Norm Ackland here: http://elvistributeartistnetwork.ning.com/profile/NormAcklandJr

Flag Raising Ceremony in Toronto

Today is the flag raising ceremony on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 12:00 at Queen’s Park, Toronto.

Can't make it? Here is a clip from 2010's celebration.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Ukrainian Independence Day at Centennial Park

Happy Birthday Ukraina! Come visit us at the Ukrainian Credit Union booth this Saturday as we celebrate the 21st anniversary of Ukraine's indepedence.

We've got some great stuff to hand out and we will also be signing up people to our Student Finances Seminar. If you attend the seminar you will get a free ticket to the After Party with DJ O'Skrypka that will take place on September 15th during the Toronto Ukrainian Festival.

Brotherhood Concert Series

Tickets for the Brotherhood Concert series will be available at select Ukrainian Credit Union branches starting at the end of next week. Tickets for the St. Catharines show will be available at our St. Catharines branch and tickets for the Toronto show will be available at Mississauga, Etobicoke, Bloor, and St. Demetrius branches.







Friday, August 17, 2012

TFSA contribution room


We'd like to update our members on a minor change to the way the Canada Revenue Agency reports your available TFSA contribution room.

The Canada Revenue Agency is committed to ensuring the TFSA information available to members is as accurate as possible. In previous years, the holder’s TFSA contribution room was shown on the T1 Notice of Assessment.

Occasionally, the amount quoted was not current because the CRA had processed the tax return before additional information from FI was accepted.

In an effort to avoid any possible confusion, the CRA is no longer including TFSA Contribution Room on the T1 Notice of Assessment.

In order to obtain the most up to date information about your TFSA transaction and available TFSA Contribution Room, please refer to:
  • My Account section, on the CRA website or
  • 1-800-267-6999 – Tax Information Phone Service available 24 hours a day 7 days a week or
  • Tax Centres – to submit a request in writing

If you have any question regarding the above, please contact me.

Co-operatively Yours,

Marika Dmytriak
Special Accounts Officer
Ukrainian Credit Union Limited
416-762-6961 x226
mdmytriak@ukrainiancu.com

Friday, August 10, 2012

FREE tickets!!!!

Come meet the band 
Stay for the seminar
Get a FREE ticket to the PARTY AFTERWARDS

Due to overwhelming demand a second seminar has been added!!! - see end of post

The Toronto Ukrainian Festival is just around the corner! And this year Ukrainian Credit Union is bringing back V.V. to head the main stage!

Ukraine's best known music act is celebrating it's 25 anniversary this year so in addition to their appearance on the main festival stage on the evening of Saturday, September 15.

BUT, one show is NOT enough!

When the festival wraps up in the evening on Saturday, the party will move to the Trident Banquet Hall at 145 Evans Avenue where Oleh Skrypka who heads up V.V. will DJ into the wee hours.

UCU wants you to come party with us, so we are offering some FREE tickets to this exclusive event to people who attend our seminar on Student Finances that will take place at 4:30pm Saturday September 15 during the festival.

The seminar is geared towards university students and young adults who want to get a head start on financial success. We will cover topics including budgeting, the basics of investing and making sure your student loans are not a burden to you.

The seminar will start right after the autograph signing session with V.V. at 2265 Bloor Street West at the Ukrainian Credit Union Wealth Strategies Group offices.

But hurry, tickets are limited. To reserve your ticket call Yuriy at 416-763-5575 or email ydiakunchak@ukrainiancu.com

A second seminar will be held Tuesday Sept 11 at 6pm. Call now to reserve.





Thursday, August 9, 2012

Events worth noting September, October, November


UPDATED October 30 

All sorts of things are happening in the community this fall. We thought we'd post info about a few of them here for you. If you have an event that UCU is supporting through sponsorship, volunteer assistance or via an ongoing relationship with your organization, please feel free to send us information to post on the blog.

Please note events are listed in reverse order with the ones furthest away at the top of the page.

For events taking place in August please click here: Events worth noting June, July, August



November 30 - December 2, 2012
Each year the Ukrainian Music Festival provides an opportunity for young musicians (instrumentalists, vocalists, ensembles and choirs, in the ages 5 -18 years) to perform pieces by Ukrainian and Ukrainian-Canadian composers. It has attracted a lot of non-Ukrainian competitors, some of whom have even attained UMF scholarships for their fine performances of Ukrainian music.

November 17, 2012
Join the global Ukrainian community in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Ukrainian World Congress. To be held at St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church and Heritage Centre 300 River Oaks Blvd. Oakville Ontario. Cocktails at 6pm dinner at 7pm. Guest speaker Derek Fraser former ambassador of Canada to Ukraine.. Tickets are $125/person and are available from the UWC office 416-323-3020. 


November 10-12, 2012
St. Mary's Church in Mississauga is holding their annual Yarmarok. For more info, please click on the link in the title.

November 10, 2012
St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Oakville is holding is 4th Annual Trivia Night. $35.00 gets you admission, fabulous Ukrainian food, loads of fun proving to everyone how smart you are (or going down in flames to that know-it-all at table #3!!!) Przes will be given to the smartest of smarty-pantses. Judy Shudlo is the person to contact, but we don't know her contact info so head on over to the church's web site www.tserkva.ca (sweet) and maybe there will be more info there. 


November 10, 2012
The art of Life
The Art of Life Community HEalth Centre  and the Prater Ensemble present a charity concert "Music of Unity" Saturday November 10 at 7pm at the Runnymede United Church 432 Runnymede ROad. The concert will feature Mark Krutik on Trumpet and Rena and Rufat Amiraliev.


November 10, 2012
Human Rights of Ukrainian Immigrants
Human Rights Committee of UWC will be holding a Community meeting on November 10, 2012 (7:00 pm) at KUMF, 2118-A Bloor Street West, Toronto. The discussion will focus on Human rights of Ukrainian immigrants  in Western Europe and Russia, as well as influence of "Russkiy Mir" ("Russian World") will be discussed. Moderator - Prof. J. Darewych. Admission is free (voluntary donations are appreciated). Contact 416-323-3020.

November 4, 2012
Icons Unite Us exhibit and sale
Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF) and St. Vladimir Institute invite you to attend the opening of "Icons Unite Us" icon exhibit and sale on Saturday November 4, 3pm. A guest lecture by Bishop Borys Gudziak will be followed by a wine and cheese reception. For more information please call the UCEF office at 416-239-249 or St. Vladimir's Institute at 416-923-3318. 


November 2-4, 2012
The Expressions in Art committee and t. Volodymyr Cathedral invite you to the 24th annual Expressions in Art 3 day show and sale. It will take place at the St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre in Oakville. The show starts Friday at 7pm.

October 28, 2012
100th Anniversary, St. George the Great Martyr
The Church of St. George the Great Martyr Ukrainian Catholic Church in Oshawa will be holding a banquet in celebration of the parish's 100th anniversary. For more information please contact (905) 725-2617 or visit www.stgeorgethegreatmartyr.com

October 28, 2012
USC Karpaty invites you to meet with members of Team Ukraine at their 10th anniversary dinner. The banque will be held at the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian Community Cente at 482 Horner Ave. starting at 6pm. Ticketsare $50 per person. For info please visit www.usckarpaty.ca


October 28, 2012
Open House at PLAST Domivka
PLAST invites you to visit their new domivka at 516 The Kingsway (at corner of Kipling Ave) in Toronto. For information please call 416-236-9998.

October 27, 2012
Veterans of the Dynamo Kyiv Club and of Ukraine's National team will play a friendly game at Centennial Park Stadium on October 27. The game starts at 6pm. Tickets at $10. For info please visit www.usckarpaty.ca


October 27, 2012
Ivan Franko - Eternal Revolutionary
Boyan Choir presents a tribute to Ivan Franko in song, poetry and narration. The event will take place at the Ukrainian National Federation building at 145 Evans Ave starting at 7pm. the event is sponsored by UNF Toronto Branch and Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada - Toronto Branch.


October 27, 2012
PLAST 100th Anniversary Reunion Ball
The 100th Anniversary Reunion Ball takes place at the Allstream Centre at the CNE. For information please call 416-236-9998


October 26, 2012
Maskarada for Kids
Have a spook-tacular maskarada! The Ukrainian National Federation's Dorist Children's program invites all kids, ghouls and goblins to their annual Maskarada at 145 Evans Avenue. Admission is $15 per child, $5 per parent. The maskarada starts at 6:30pm and continues till 8:30pm. The maskarada will feature a costume contest, Halloween games, music and dancing, trick-or-treat surprises and Jake the Magician.

October 26 - November 1, 2012
Come celebrate with Kosa Kolektiv at the opening reception of The Artist Exchange Culminating Art Show at the Shevchenko Museum at 1614 Bloor Street West. Exhibitors include Vasyl Karpiv, Yura Rafaliuk and students of the Artist Exchange Workshop Series. The show is on from October 26  to November 1. Opening night reception begins at 7:30pm.

October 25, 2012
Join us and special guest Oksana Miroutenko on Thursday October 25 at the UCU Wealth Strategies Group Office at 2265 Bloor Street at 6pm for a seminar on Estate Planning. To register for this free seminar please call Yuriy Diakunchak at 416-763-5575 x208 or email ydiakunchak@ukrainiancu.com. For more information click here "Estate Planning Seminar".

October 20, 2012
Tribute to Marta Krawciw-Barabash
The Ukrainian Music Festival and the Vesnivka Choir invite you to a tribute concert to the life and work of Marta Krawciw-Barabash. Other performers include Toronto Ukrainian Male Choir, Orion Choir, Roman Borys (cello), Luba and Ireneus Zuk, Antonina Ermolenko, Alyssa Michalsky (harp) Yaromyr Bozhenko (piano and Olga Glibovych (violin) The evnet takes place at the Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St W in Toronto. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for students and seniors. Call 416-818-3164 to purchase.

October 20, 2012
Be a part of the Extravagant Lvivsky Bal. Dance the night away to the sounds of Klooch and Zirka. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The Bal will be held at the Lithuania House 1573 Bloor Street West. Doors will open at 9pm. Contact Orest for tickets and details. 416-566-2664, oresth@rogers.com.


October 14, 2012
UCPBA Toronto Networking Night
The UCPBA Toronto's Fall kick-off event takes place at The Amsterdam Bicycle Club 54 The Esplanade at 6pm. Drop by after work to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones..

October 14, 2012
75th Anniversary "Holy Protection" Sisterhood
The Holy Protection Sisterhood at the Parish of St. Jon the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Oshawa will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on Sunday Oct 14. For more information, please contact Father Bohdan Hladio (905) 433-5577 or Carol Shewchuk (905) 723-7217.

October 12, 2012
Yavir is celebrating 50 Years of Dance and wants you to have blast with them! The Golden Maple Gala featuring a 5 curse meal, open bar, silent auction, a late night dessert table all set to the sounds of Zirka - all for just $100. If this sounds like a Malanka, well that's because its being billed as a Malanka, but in October and with way better food according to the event's FB page. For info email yavir50th@yahoo.ca.

October 5, 2012
Hrushevsky Plate - A Night at the Races
The Petro Jacyk Education Foundation  invites you to a thrilling evening with dining, entertainment and thoroughbred horse racing.in support of the Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto. The event takes place at the Woodbine Racetrack, 555 Rexdale Blvd. Trackside Tent opens up at 5:30pm, buffet dinner commences at 6:30pm. Cash bar. Tickets are $160 per person or $1,600 for a table of 10. For more information please call 905-625-2171 or email post.doc.pjef@gmail.com.

September 29, 2012
Tastes of St. Joseph
Join St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church for their open house event featuring tours of their new facility, music, and Ukrainian Food Tasting. Our very own Diane Comtois, Credit Manager at UCU as well as members of her team were among the volunteers making the varennyky! The event runs from 10am to 2pm.

September 22, 2012
St. Elias Classic Golf Tournament
The 2012 edition of this tournament will take place at the Mayfiled Golf Club, 12552 Torbram Rd. in Caledon. For information please contact Lu Bobyk 905-273-631 or exprincip@yahoo.ca. FUnds will go to supporting various projects such as the construction of the parish residence/office.

September 22, 2012
Brotherhood Concert Series - Toronto
The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus and Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus will be holding a joint concert at the Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard Street East in Toronto at 7pm. For information please call 416-518-0292. Tickets are available at the Bloor, St. Demetrius, Etobicoke and Mississauga Branches of Ukrainian Credit Union.


September 21, 2012
Brotherhood Concert Series - St. Catharines
The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus and Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus will be holding a joint concert at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, 67 Church St. a 7:30pm. For information please call 905-934-7352. Tickets are available at the St. Catharines branch of Ukrainian Credit Union.

September 20, 23, 28, 30, 2012
World War II - Ukrainian Partisan Resistance in Volyn
UNF Canada, UWVA and UNF West Toronto jointly present a lecture in honour of the 70th Anniversary of UPA. The guest speaker will be Vasyl Oliynyk, past director of the Kremenets District Government Administration, Ternopil blast, co-author of "Unsubdued Kremenets" and member of the Kremenets District Prosvita. The lecture will be delivered in Ukrainian. Admission is by voluntary donation. The event will take place in 4 cities:

Ottawa, Sept 20, 7pm at the Villa Marconi 1026 Baseline Road
Toronto, Sept 23, 3pm, UNF Toronto, 145 Evans Road
Montreal, Sept 28, 7pm, UNF Montreal, 405 Fairmount Street W.
Hamilton, Sept 30, 3pm, UNF Hamilton, 170 Parkdale Ave N.

For more information please call 416-925-2770 or visit www.unfcanada.ca 

September 15-16, 2012
The film festival will take place at the Toronto Public Library, Runnymede Branch. Featured films include My Mother's Village (2001), a documentary by acclaimed Winnipeg-based filmmaker John Paskievich; Acts of Imagination (2006), a feature film by Vancour-based filmmakers Carolyn Combs and Michael Springate; Serhiy Paradganov's Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1964); Borys Ivchenko's Propala Hramota (1972); Mark Marchyk's Marichka (2012); and Justin Fiesen's Let's Make Lemonade (2012) featuring the Lemon Bucket Orchestra. The event is organized through a collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada and is chaired by Olga Klymenko. For a complete schedule, please visit www.ukrainianfestival.com.

September 15, 2012
After the street party at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival wraps up with V.V. performing on the main stage, the action moves down the street to the Earth Restaurant for more music and dancing into the wee hours. Oleh Skrypka, the V.V. frontman has a great show lined up for you. Interested in FREE tickets? Well then, see the entry below on the Student Finances Seminar to reserve yours now! TIckets are available at the Bloor, Etobicoke and Mississauga branches of Ukrainian Credit Union Limited.

September 15, 2012
Join us for a seminar designed for university students and young adults who want to learn more about budgeting, paying off loans and finances in general. Those who attend are eligible to receive a FREE ticket to the exclusive After Party with Oleh Skrypka at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival. Limited tickets are available so call Yuriy now to reserve your spot 416-763-5575 x208, ydiakunchak@ukrainiancu.com. The After Party will be held at the UNF Hall at 145 Evans Ave. in Etobicoke,

September 15, 2012
V.V. autograph session
Come meet V.V. sponsored at the Ukrainian festival by Ukrainian Credit Union Limited and get their autograph. V.V. (Vopli Vidopliassova) will appear at the Ukrainian Credit Union Wealth Strategies Group office 2265 Bloor Street West at 3pm on Saturday September 15. You will be able to meet the band and maybe even get a photograph taken with them. Afterwards, there will be a seminar on Student Finances. We will have 30 tickets to an exclusive After Party with D.J. Oleh Skrypka of V.V. available for those who attend the seminar. For details please call Yuriy 416-763-5575 x208 ydkunchak@ukrainiancu.com

September 14, 2012
V.V. plays the Lithuanian Hall 1573 Bloor West from 11am to 1am. Also appearing with be Toronto's own Klooch. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. TIckets are available at the Bloor, Etobicoke and Mississauga branches of Ukrainian Credit Union Limited.

September 14-16, 2012
The 16th Annual Toronto Ukrainian Festival will feature V.V. sponsored by Ukrainian Credit Union Limited. for more information about the festival please contact Olena Gisys 416-839-8227, lena@ukrainianfestival.com or visit www.ukrainianfestival.com


September 14, 2012
Crazy Voda CD Release Party
Crazy Voda will be holding their CD release party at the Gladston Hotel. For more details visit their event page on FB.

September 7, 2012
Ukrainian Heritage Day
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ontario Provincial Council invites you to join them on the front lawn of the Ontario Legislature building (Queen's Park) 4pm on Friday Sept 7 for the 2nd Annual Ukrainian Heritage Day celebration. The keynote speaker will be documentary and film maker Halya Kuchmij. For more information call 416-323-4772 or email ucctoronto@bellnet.ca.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Civic Holiday Monday


A note to all of our members; our branches, call centre and head office will be closed Monday August 6th 2012 for the civic holiday. We hope everyone has a happy and safe long weekend!


Thursday, August 2, 2012

Real Estate Seminar Recap

Last week at the Ukrainian Credit Unions Wealth Strategies Office we held our Real Estate seminar that outlined the whole process of buying a home from beginning to end, so when it’s time for you to purchase you’ll know how the home buying process works, what expenses to be prepared for, the benefits of going with a realtor, with our guest host Sandy Bodnar Re/Max Professionals Inc. Sales Representative.



To see more pictures from the event click HERE for the Facebook album.