Pumpkin Carving

Christine Saly carved this awesome UCU-themed pumpkin and forwarded the picture to us to post!

By the way, Christine was one of the winners of a UCU scholarship this year. You can read about her on our blog HERE

Happy Halloween!

We hope everyone has a fun, safe and spooky Halloween!

Shocking news!

We have now contacted all of the winners of the Turn on the Lights mortgage campaign that ended on September 30 and we want to share the results with you!

As you remember there were to be five winners, one each from five geographical zones* that we operate in. The winners will have up to $1,500 of their hydro bills paid by UCU for the first year after they move into their new house.

So who won?

In Zone 1 (which included our Windsor, St. Catharines, London, Hamilton and Mississauga branches) the winner was:

Petar Grujicic

In Zone 2 (which included our Etobicoke and St. Demetrius branches) the winner was:

Maria Spirydivoch

In Zone 3 (which included our Bloor and Ottawa branches) the winner was:

Andrew Moroz

In Zone 4 (which included our Sudbury and Thunder Bay branches) the winner was:

April-May Gendreau-Manderstrom

In Zone 5 (which included our Oshawa and North York branches) the winner was:

Vera Davydenko

We congratulate all of the winners!

* the geographic zones were structured in such a way that every member who got a mortgage with UCU during the campaign period could expect to have a roughly equal chance at winning the prize. 

Holodomor Awareness Month - Food drive

November is Holodomor Awareness Month and as always, Ukrainian Credit Union Limited will be holding a food drive to collect food for local food banks. We do this every year not only to remind ourselves about the horrors that the Soviet system wrought upon Ukrainians and other people but also to remind ourselves that even in a wealthy and peaceful country such as Canada, there are many people who live on the edge of hunger due to poverty or illness.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to have not only the basic necessities of life, but who enjoy a surplus, have a responsibility to our fellow citizens to give a helping hand.

We call upon all of our members to bring canned goods or other non-perishable items to give to the hungry. In the GTA donations will go to the Daily Bread Food Bank. In other communities they will go to a local food bank or charity selected by the branch staff.

You can see lots of photos from this year's food drive on our Facebook page in the Holodomor Awareness album.

As of October 30, 2013 you can make donations at the following locations:

Greater Toronto Area

Head Office (in entrance lobby of UNF Hall)
145 Evans Avenue, Suite 300, Etobicoke, tel: 416.922.2797

Bloor West Branch
 2397 Bloor Street W., Toronto, tel: 416.762.6961

Etobicoke Branch
225 The East Mall, Etobicoke, tel: 416.233.1254

Mississauga Branch
3635 Cawthra Road, Mississauga, tel: 905.272.0468

North York (ATM)
5799 Yonge Street, Suite 100, North York, tel: 416.225.0032

Oshawa (ATM)
245 King St. West Oshawa, tel: 905.571.4777

St. Demetrius Branch
135 La Rose Avenue, Weston,  tel: 416.246.1651

Wealth Strategies Group Office
2265 Bloor St. West, Toronto, tel: 416.763-5575

Golden Horseshoe & Niagara

Hamilton (ATM)
1252 Barton Street East, Hamilton,  tel: 905.545.1910

St. Catharines (ATM)
118 Niagara Street, St. Catharines, 905.684.5062

Southwestern Ontario

London
247 Adelaide Street S., London, 519.649.1671

Windsor (ATM)
1275 Walker Rd. Unit 1A, Windsor,  519.256.2955

Central, Northern & Northwestern Ontario

Sudbury (ATM)
532 Kathleen Street, Sudbury, 705.674.1055

Thunder Bay
540 High Street, Thunder Bay,  807.622.9796

We will list other locations here as we get the collection boxes set up.

Plaque recalls Lethbridge internment camp

From a UCCLA press release:

Plaque recalls Lethbridge internment camp for "enemy aliens"
On Tuesday, 29 October 2013, at 1:30 pm, a commemorative plaque recalling the internment of Ukrainians and other Europeans during the First World War was unveiled at the Lethbridge Exhibition. One of 24 camps set up during Canada's first national internment operations, most of the prisoners were civilians who had immigrated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The camp was in operation from 30 September 1914 to 7 November 1916. Other camps remained open until the spring of 1920. Internees were forced to do heavy labour for the profit of their jailers and suffered other state-sanctioned indignities, not because they had done anything wrong but only because of who they were and where they had come from.

The commemorative plaque was placed by the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, in cooperation with the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund and the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation. This is the 22nd such plaque placed by UCCLA. Just two more First World War-era internment camp sites remain to be memorialized: Montreal and Halifax. 

Click for an interactive map of all WWI internment camps.

For more information on the plaque or on the internment operations, and for pictures of the plaque and the unveiling event, please contact UCCLA at media@uccla.ca
www.uccla.ca
www.facebook.com/TheUCCLA
www.twitter.com/uccla

Power of Three a new show at KUMF

DoVira concert coming up!

These folks put on a great show! We highly recommend seeing them.

UCC Congress XXIV coming up

This is just like the Ukrainian-Canadian Superbowl. Lots of roman numerals and all. This year the star quarterback will be Stephen Harper.

Don't miss the banquet, tickets are selling fast!

Got an unwanted vehicle?

Donate it to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre!

Make that old car live again in the form of a donation through CharityCar! The Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre is proud to be a member of CharityCar.ca, licensed eco-friendly Auto Recyclers who accept the donation of old vehicles on behalf of charities across Canada. Donate your car and 100% of the proceeds go to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre on your behalf, and you will receive a charitable tax receipt. The participating recycler will pick up your vehicle, free of charge. CharityCar has been trained to dispose of the environmentally hazardous materials in vehicles that have reached the end of their useful lives. Following treatment “high demand” vehicles are dismantled, and “highly requested” useable parts are sold/recycled.

Go to: http://www.stdemetrius.ca/donate/index.php

Holy Protection of the BVM 60th Anniversary

This lovely detail of the church's domes is sourced from
http://sooniagara.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/cupolas-of-st-marys/

The Holy Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Burlington celebrated its 60th anniversary with a special liturgical service and a banquet. The church is located in the downtown core of Burlington on Pearl Street, just off of the Lakeshore Boulevard near Brant Street.

A bit of history of the church from the commemorative booklet:

In the late 1940s, post-war political refugees from Ukraine arrived in Burlington, Ontario and began to settle the aptly named neighbourhood called "Freeman". A group of eighteen determined families comprised of these new arrivals and Canadian-born residents of the "Ukrainian Catholic Faith" with the Very Reverend Archpriest Anthony Simbalist made plans to purchase the 'century old' St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church located on the corner of Pearl and Pine Streets. Through the generosity of the Roman Catholic Church and their wish that the former edifice continue to serve the "Catholic Faithful", and through the negotiation skills of our Founders and Clergy, an agreement was reached.
On Sunday May 31st, 1953, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Very Reverend Anthony Simbalist in the newly formed community of the Holy Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church. On Sunday October 25th 1953, a day close to the Feast Day of the Holy Protection, His Excellency Bishop Isidore Borecky, Apostolic Exarch of Toronto and Eastern Canada, consecrated our church temple and blessed our community. We honour our founders! Without their tenacity and love of God, our community would not be what it is today.

Children of the Tyrsa Dance Group performed for the guests

The banquet was very well attended by parishioners both current and those who have since moved to other towns (such as your correspondent) as well as many guests. The church hall was filled to capacity!

For many more pictures of this event please visit the Holy Protection of the BVM UCC 60th Anniversary album on our Facebook page.

Today is International Credit Union Day!

International Credit Union Day has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948. The day is recognized to reflect upon the credit union movement's history and to promote its achievements. It is a day to honor those who have dedicated their lives to the movement, recognize the hard work of those working in the credit union industry and show members our appreciation.

This year's ICU Day will take place today Oct. 17, 2013. The theme is, "Credit Unions Unite for Good: A Better Way," emphasizes the benefits of cooperation among credit unions worldwide.

Check out what some of our branches are doing for International Credit Union Day on our Facebook page, just CLICK HERE!

Dynamo Cup is coming up

The Ukrainian Students' Club at Ryerson invites you to a day of futbol. Get a team together and challenge for the Dynamo Cup. for information visit www.facebook.com/USCRyerson.

New dates for Canada's Parliament Education Forum

CANADA’S PARLIAMENT EDUCATION FORUM:

NEW DATES ANNOUNCED

In collaboration with the UNF Ottawa-Gatineau branch, the Paul Yuzyk Institute For Youth Leadership is pleased to announce Canada’s Parliament Education Forum will be held in Ottawa November 20-24, 2013.

Canada's Parliament Education Forum is inviting high school and university age students from across Canada to participate in an exciting five day exploration of the Ukrainian contribution to Canada’s Parliament and to our Canadian Policy and Legislation on Multiculturalism. This unique educational leadership forum will give young leaders the opportunity to learn how our government touches the lives of Ukrainian Canadians and how our Ukrainian community has helped build the Canadian nation and Canada’s multicultural society.

The Forum includes site visits in and around Parliament Hill, the House of Commons and Senate, the Parliamentary Library, the War Museum, the National Museum of Canadian Civilization, Parliamentary Precinct, the Supreme Court, and National Archives and Library Canada. Visits to Ukrainian Canadian institutions, monuments, and memorials such as Ukrainian churches, and the Taras Shevchenko monument will also be included.

Students between the ages of 14 to 22, of Ukrainian descent or simply with an interest in Ukrainian identity and multiculturalism must apply before November 1, 2013. This educational forum is limited to 12 candidates who meet the selection criteria.

Cost: $950 includes local travel, hotel accommodation, all meals, educational program, participants’ handbook, training and facilitators. Please note this does not include air travel or costs to or from Ottawa. $700 for students in Ottawa who do not require hotel accommodation.

Bursaries have been provided through a grant from the Shevchenko Foundation

for qualifying students. (Please enquire)

                                                                                                                     

To download the application form and selection criteria, please visit:

 http://paul-yuzyk-institute.org/forum2013/ or www.unfcanada.ca

For more information contact:

Olya Grod, UNF Executive Director (416) 925-2770

info@unfcanada.ca or pmigus@gmail.com

Ottawa Service Point news

Last year we announced the opening of a new service point in the nation's capital Ottawa. The staff at the service point has been training up to learn all about the credit union and the financial industry. Those of you who live in Ottawa may have already met them at an event or even visited them at their office which is located in the Ottawa Women's Credit Union at 271 Bank St. right in the heart of Ottawa.

Anyway, we would like to introduce you the the staff now so that you know whom you can turn to for excellent service on all of our financial services and products. Below are Oksana Zvyranyk and Maryna Vyatkina.

Oksana Zbyranyk, Financial Services Representative,
Ukrainian Credit Union Limited, Ottawa

Maryna Vyatkina, Members Service Representative
Ukrainian Credit Union Limited, Ottawa

You can reach Oksana and Maryna at 613-288-0206 during regular business hours.

"Серце Батяра" - Виступи в Торонто і Оттаві

Закликаєм всіх Батярів та іхних прихильників на вечірку. (Виступ повторяється в Оттаві в Суботу 26 жовтня - За дальшими деталями відвідайте наш громадський календар.)

Vote to help children realize their potential!

Transforming Lives of Children at Risk With the Power of Music

Markian Babiy principal at Yorkwoods Public and Yvanna Mycyk teacher at the Parkdale Public School, two members of the Ukrainian Community in Toronto are actively involved in the Sistema program which is part of a global social movement that is committed to helping children realize their full potential through the power of music. We are transforming the lives of disadvantaged children in Toronto by teaching them to work together toward common goals.

The program can get some much needed community funding from Aviva and all you have to do is vote.

To vote, visit the following link on the Aviva Community funding site:

http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf16874

You can vote once a day to help these two individuals in their quest to continue providing after-school program in areas that are working hard to overcome considerable economic and social challenges. Now in our third year, children in grades one to eight receive ten hours per week of intensive orchestral and choral instruction throughout the school year. All are welcome to apply to our inclusive program – no previous experience or training is required – and each child is given an instrument as well as a daily nutritious snack. All at no cost to the child’s family.

Vote now and vote often!

Remembrance Day - Поминальний День Воїна

Не забудьмо пожертви тих хто захищали батьківщину.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A note to all of our members;

Our branches, call centre and head office will be closed Monday October 14th 2013 for Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Zapovid comes out on top

Zapovid garnered the most votes during our Ukrainian Rock School Battle of the Bands competition they ended up with 875 votes to second place Torontula's 798. Come out tomorrow to see the winner's get their prize awarded at Mingles on Kipling. See poster below for details.

Holodomor Commemorative Concert in Ottawa

If you are in Ottawa on November 10, you might want to check out this concert featuring the Ewashko Singers performing the music of Roman Hurko.

For the little ghosts and goblins

There be Ukrainian Dragons!

UKRAINIAN DRAGONS

Ukrainian Canadian Congress XXIV Triennial Congress Toronto, Ontario, November 8, 2013 ‐ November 10, 2013

Call for Submissions

To Members of the Ukrainian Canadian Community:

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is pleased to announce the first Ukrainian Dragon Competition to be held on Friday, November 8, 2013, during the Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians in Toronto.

The Ukrainian Dragons are successful business owners committed to the development and promotion of the entrepreneurial spirit in our community. They have generously agreed to contribute an award of up to $50,000 to the successful proponent of a project which will benefit the Ukrainian Canadian community. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is grateful to them for their generosity in funding this exciting venture. Watch for upcoming bulletins to learn the identities of the Ukrainian Dragons.

The Congress invites applications from individuals and organizations that meet the criteria described in the attached Terms and Conditions.

Applications are due by midnight on October 15, 2013 and must be submitted electronically to Ms. Renata Roman at renataroman@yahoo.com.

Inquiries may be submitted electronically to Ms. Roman. All responses to inquiries will be posted on the UCC website.

Interested proponents are encouraged to check the UCC website regularly for updates.

Applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee and up to three (3) finalists will be selected to make a 5 – 10 minute live presentation to the Ukrainian Dragons during the Triennial Congress of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress on November 8, 2013.

We look forward to receiving your applications and to seeing you at the Triennial Congress in November.

Renata Roman]

Full terms and conditions follow

Learn to sing in the "Village Voice"

80th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Women's Organization

The National Executive of the Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada - Ol'ha Basarab, Patron

cordially invites members of the community to a documentary film presentation about its establishment and early years, on occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Women's Organization

Friday, October 18, 2013 7:00 p.m., Trident Hall - Ukrainian National Federation of Canada
145 Evans Avenue, Toronto, Ontario

$10.00 per person

Snacks and refreshments to follow the screening

Крайова Управа Oрганізації Українок Канади ім. Ольги Басараб
щиро запрошує українську громаду на презентацію документального фільму про заснування і початкові роки з нагоди 80-ти Річчя Організації Українок Канади

в п'ятницю, 18 жовтня 2013 7:00 год. вечора

в домівці Українського Національного Об’єднання
145 Evans Avenue, Toronto, Ontario

Вступ $10.00

Вас чекає смачна перекуска після висвітлення фільму

Fun for the grown up ghosts and ghouls

Rock School contest wrapping up

Sunday at midnight our contest to see who will win the free recording session will wrap up. You still have two days to vote!

The satndings as of 4pm on October 4 are:

Zapovid: 640 votes
Torontula: 610 votes
Dovira: 89 votes
PYX: 36 votes

Looks like it will be a very close one between Zapovid and Torontula.

Портрети воїнів - учасників зимового походу

Just found out about this today. The opening was yesterday, but you can still catch this interesting exhibit of portaits by Alexander Motyl a professor at Rutgers University. The exhibit features portraits of the soldiers of the Ukrainian National Republic.

Also there are two book launches featuring Alexander Motyl tonight and Sunday night. see the posters attached to the article

Ukrainian Apple Fest is coming up

Семінар для ново-прибулих корті хочуть купити житло

Повторюєтся семінар про купівлю нерухомости в Канаді. Лана Руденко, Retail Credit Manager, Української Кредитової Спілки Лимитед, буде присутна щоб відповісти на всі ваші питання про мортґеджі (іпотеки).

A thank you from Sudbury

A little while ago we received a really nice thank you from the parishioners of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sudbury for our donation towards the celebrations of the parish's 75th anniversary!