On January 22, 2023, Kinds Deeds, Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York, the Ukrainian World Congress and the Ukrainian Institute of America hosted an evening in celebration of Ukrainian Unity Day – День Соборності України. The event took place at the iconic Ukrainian Institute, a National Historic Landmark.
On this day in 1919, Ukrainians reunited into a single state – the Ukrainian People’s Republic. The act of Zluka [Unification Act signed on January 22, 1919] determined the further formation of the Ukrainian political nation and became a testimony of the will of Ukrainians for self-determination and consolidation. Today, as then, the unification and unity of Ukrainians remain a fundamental value of Ukrainian statehood. It is these values that Ukraine defends today from Russia’s armed aggression.
Andrij Dobriansky of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America led the event. Many Ukrainian and American guests and prominent political figures attended, in particular H.E. Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, and Oleksii Holubov, Consul General of Ukraine in New York.
The guests enjoyed performances by pianist Sasha Grynyuk, Pianist Pavlo Gintov. Duet Malvy – Kalyna and Uliana Leshchuk, who are vocalists and bandura players, performed and Anna Kosachevich sang a few Ukrainian songs.
The founder and president of Kind Deeds Oleksandr Rubtsov presented the organization’s future plans and goals. Miss Universe Ukraine – Viktoria Apanasenko has been named the ambassador of Kind Deeds Inc. She generously donated her Miss Universe pageant costume – “Warrior of Light” wings, which were auctioned off.
Five Ukrainian heroes currently receiving medical treatment in New York – Roman, Mykola, Maksym, Victor, and Oleksii received a warm welcome. During the closing remarks, Miss Universe Ukraine – Viktoria Apanasenko presented Mykola, who was turning 30 that day, with a Ukrainian-themed cake. All guests cheered and sang Happy Birthday. The moment was very touching and moving.
The guests enjoyed cocktails and beverage selections by Nazar Hrab, and delicious Ukrainian hors d’oeuvres by the executive chef Pavlo Servetnyk of Slava Ukrainian restaurant in NYC.
There were silent and live auctions of artwork by Ukrainian artists.
Kind Deeds works with a network of doctors and partners to provide prostheses to Ukrainians who lost their limbs during the war. The mission of the organization is to help Ukrainians return to everyday life as soon as possible. Kind Deeds facilitate the initial treatment in Ukraine and later transfers patients to the USA to receive prostheses and rehabilitation in New York.
All funds raised during the event will go for the treatment and prostheses of many Ukrainian soldiers who are currently on our extensive waiting list.
We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who helped make this event a success!
We are sincerely grateful to all guests and people because of whom this event has happened. Thank you to our partners: the Ukrainian Institute of America, the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN, the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York, and the Ukrainian World Congress. We thank all the volunteers! Special thanks for support to Orest Kyzyk and Tamara Shevchenko. Thank you to Slava Restaurant and chef Pavlo Servetnyk for the amazing catering service. Thank you to all the singers, artists, musicians, and photographers for your hard work and phenomenal performances. We thank our friends from Ukrainian Habitat Fund for their support and donation during the event. We are pleased and grateful to Miss Ukraine Universe 2023, Victoria Apanasenko for becoming the ambassador of Kind Deeds and for the donation she made. Thank you to those who donated their artwork and historical valuables for the auction and those who have purchased them! We greatly appreciate all your efforts and hard work!
