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228 ХХ Х II Конвенція СУА UNWLA BRANCH 81, DETROIT, MI С HIGAN PATRONESS OLENA STEPANIV DETROIT REGIONAL COUNCIL Due to the restrictions and dangers of COVID, Branch 81 of the Metropolitan Detroit Westside has been conducting our meetings by phone. During these calls, we speak about projects our branch wants to undertake and developing the means to do so. Our current goals are: 1) to support the renewed work of the Ukrainian American Archives and Museum in Hamtr amck, MI, and 2) to develop strategies to help meet humanitarian needs in Ukraine. We also reviewed our Catheter Project from the past. Doing such a review encouraged us to think big. We considered sharing information about this project once again with mem ber branches of our Regional Council, but this time focus on explaining the process in a more detailed manner, more specifically tracing the project’s development. This effort is helping us focus our efforts and perhaps the tracing of events may help anoth er branch develop their project to aid Ukraine. With a small group of members, Branch 81 President Maria Holian in 2015 established the Catheter Project that was in place from 2015 through 2018 and provided benefits to Ukrainians in at least two ways. The project provided Ukraine’s wounded veterans, hospitalized in Lviv, with catheters and other supplies, as well as inspired volunteer action in Ukraine to continue providing medical equipment and supplies to soldiers who suffer deeply from the effects of Ru ssia’s war on Ukraine, a war now in it’s seventh year. Our project to help with the medical needs of wounded soldiers’ began with a conversation that President Holian had with members of her extended family in Ukraine. The tone of their voices was despera te as they spoke about the large number of paralyzed soldiers and others now disabled by amputations because of the war. She realized that help with physical rehabilitation was needed. As an occupational therapist by profession, and having worked with many injured soldiers and civilians in America, she decided to investigate the availability of rehabilitation in Ukraine. Mrs. Holian searched online for occupational therapy centers in Ukraine and did not find any facilities offering such services. While sea rching for physical therapy options, she found a therapist, Olexandra (Lesia) Kalandyak, who was pioneering innovative physical therapy practices in Ukraine. Calling her, Mrs. Holian identified herself as an occupational therapist from America and asked, “ How can I help?” Olexandra Kalandyak’s immediately responded that there was a great need for catheters among soldiers who had become invalids due to the war. Seeking guidance, Branch President Holian contacted UNWLA President Marianna Zajac, who, at that time, was in Sweden attending a conference of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations. Also attending was Dr. Oreslava V. Khomyk, President, Ukrainian Women’s Union (Союз Українок). Dr . Khomyk agreed to meet Olexandra (Lesia) Kalandyak upon returning to Lviv. On September 10, 2015, Dr. Khomyk and Lesia Kalandyak exchanged emails, and agreed that assistance such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, cushions was needed. Lesia, who was working at the Military Medical Center of the Western Region in Lviv, would tell Dr. Khomyk of needed equipment. Dr. Khomyk would purchase the items with funds from Branch 81 and have them delivered to the hospital. In these email exchanges, a consistent request for catheters and urinary bags was also included. With the network organized and the goals defined, Branch 81 went to work. Member Luba Smolij Bakopolous supplied the meeting space (along with tea, sandwiches and ideas) in which Branch 81 members met to pl an various events to raise funds. The branch organized: 1) a Ukrainian Nutcracker - Soldier Bake Sale at St. Mary the Protectress (Pokrova) Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, an event coordinated by parish board president and Branch 81 member, Olia Liskiwsky; 2) a coordinated effort with Detroit Plast that resulted in a supply of toiletries being sent to Ukrainian soldiers. Plast members sewed bags from wash clothes and filled them with soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a note expressing their appreciation for the sacrifice made by the soldiers. These packets were sent to Ukraine by Branch 81; 3) a master class in pysanka design was held by the late Master - Artist Roman Seniuk at Our Lady of
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