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НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ • Січень-Лютий 2026 23 Branch 136 Takes Part in Naples Festival of Trees ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ ВІДДІЛІВ І ЧЛЕНКИНЬ • BRANCH & MEMBER NEWS As the holiday season kicked off in Southwest Flor - ida, Branch 136 took part for the first time in the Naples Festival of Trees sponsored by the Salva - tion Army. This came about thanks to the efforts of our Culture Chair, Orysia Fisher. Donated Christmas trees were decorated with religious themes celebrating Jesus’s birth, ministry, words, parables, and miracles. In all, forty trees were on display at the Salvation Army Church and shown online for bidding on November 14 and 15, 2025, each with a story card that connected with the theme and was displayed next to the tree. In view of the ongoing war against Ukraine, we chose the theme “Prince of Peace.” Our story card read: Jesus, the Prince of Peace, arrived as the promised Christ child who reconciles a warring world to God. The prophet Isaiah foretold in chap - ter 9, verse 6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoul - der. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In the midst of conflict and fear, Jesus gives a peace rooted in his sovereign love (John 14:27). Branch 136 carries the Prince’s peace through vital humanitarian aid to war-ravaged Ukraine. The proceeds from the Christmas tree auction will support the UNWLA’s Orphans Fund and Pediatric Burn Victims Fund. As mankind yearns for peace and goodwill, the UNWLA asks for prayer to be - seech the Baby Jesus to stop the unprovoked war being waged against Ukrainians defending them - selves from the evils of power and greed. Our 7½-foot lighted tree was decorated with gold and red ornaments, small bouquets of wheat, and red poppies tied with ribbon made by Orysia Fisher. The main ornaments were miniature icons of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus. These icons were made by our Archivist and local artist, Luba Drahosz, using decoupage and original art paint - ing. As is customary, the tree was topped with a beautiful, sparkling gold star. All proceeds from the online/live tree auction as well as a Christmas-themed silent auction were donated to various Christian non-profit organi - zations. The “Prince of Peace” tree received the first online bid of $3,500, from a Naples resident, Natalie Santarsiero , President, Branch 136, Naples, FL We received so many compliments on our beautiful tree! a non-Ukrainian who was a strong supporter of Ukraine and its beleaguered children. The next day, November 15, over 4,000 people attended the Festival of Trees. Our branch had two vendor tables selling icons, Christmas items, jewel - ry, and much more. We also donated several items for a silent auction, most notably a “From Ukraine with Love!” gift basket prepared by our member Nataliya Kaspshyshak. We are grateful for the financial and moral sup - port received from the people of Southwest Florida, making this event a very successful fundraiser for the UNWLA Orphans Fund and Pediatric Burn Vic - tims Fund. Special thanks to the Christmas Tree committee of Luba Drahosz, Orysia Fisher, Luba Marino, Na - talie Santarsiero, and Vera Szram-Senyk for their time and effort. It was such a wonderful experience that we have signed on for next year’s festival. Now, looking for a new theme!
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