DICK SOLECKI RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT
Officers and Directors of the WNY Division of the Polish American Congress took their oath of office from Judge Carl Bucki on Saturday, April 5, 2008 in the Marion Hall at St. Stanislaus Parish in Buffalo.
The event started at 5:30 p.m. with Joseph Macielag, former PAC President as Master of Ceremonies, and blessing of the "Swieconka" was done by Father Bocianowski, followed by the dinner and then chairperson Adeline Wujcikowski gave the welcoming address.
Sworn into office were the following: President Richard B. Solecki, Vice President Michael Zachowicz, Treasurer Andrew Kucharski, and Secretary Adeline Wujcikowski. Board of Directors: Bernadine (Dina) Szymanski, Mira Szramel, Judge Michael Pietruszka, Edward Reska, Rick Mazella, and National Director Joseph Macielag.
Richard B. Solecki, President of the Polish American Congress, WNY Division addressed the audience. For the last four years Richard Solecki has served as President and he is to be commended for all that he has done and continues to do on behalf of the Polish American Community.
The WNY Division of the Polish American Congress celebrated the Easter season and held its annual Swieconka on April 5.
Mira Szramel, Principal of the Polish Saturday School and active member of the PAC and Pulaski Association, was presented the Bronislaus Durewicz Service Award
Awards were also presented to Christine Jozwiak and Konstancy Witczak. Christine Jozwiak organized fundraising efforts for an orphanage in Poland, and is very active as First Lady in the Polish Union of America, Polish Heritage Festival and Lions Club.
K.C. Witczak is President of the Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral Seniors and is active in numerous community organizations.
Short synopsis of the three honored members:
Konstanty C Witczak AKA K.C. Witczak
Born in Buffalo, NY on 7/29/1926
One of the 13 siblings helped his brother with MD on his newspaper route in Lackawanna for 2 years @ age 14 & 15.
Worked @ Curtis Wright
Served 2 years with Army in the Phillippines
Worked @ Westinghouse over 38 years, 14 years as Westinghouse Union Teasurer
Worked 5 years with Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral maintenance crew
Worked 10 years with Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral Fish Fry volunteer
Transports Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral Senior choir singers from practice and Mass
Presently serves as President of Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral Senior members
Presently serving with Plewacki Post Military Funeral Squad
Presently serving with Plewacki Post American Legion for 59 years
Had been very active with former Legislator Raymond Dusza Booster Club
Administered to wife Hazel bedridden with MS for 7 years
Delivered Meals on Wheel for 3 years
Member of the Polish American Congress, Kosciuszko Foundation, Polish Cultural Foundation, the American Center of Polish Culture, Rzeszow Buffalo's Sister City in Poland
Am-Pol Eagle subscription to sister in Florida and in Ohio, and myself.
Support the following - Siostry Sluzebniczki in Poland, OLV Homes of Charity, Villa Maria and Habitat for Humanity, Priests of the Sacred Heart, National Arbor Foundation and St. Joseph's Indian School, National Shrine of St. Jude, VFW Veterans Services, Boys Town and other
Mira Szramel
I was born in Poland. I went to college for two years for Social Work. After I worked in City Hall of Wroclaw as a Social Worker. 21 years ago I moved to Buffalo, NY with my two daughters Martyna and Kathy to join my husband Ziggy who came to Buffalo, NY two years before in hopes of making a better life for us.
Shortly after I arrived in Buffalo, NY I met Urszula Golodolinski and her family who helped me find my way to Polish Saturday School and "Polish American" way to live in a different country. To this day I am still involved with the Polish Saturday School. My daughters graduated from Polish Saturday School many years ago. I have been a board member for many years, first I was secretary, then president, now I am the school principal.
For the next 10 years I will be still involved with the school maybe not as a board member but as a grandmother whose 3 year old grandaughter Izabela just became a student at the Polish Saturday School.
I am a board member of the General Pulaski Association and have been in charge of the Pulaski Parade since 2001. For many years I have been a member of the PAC. Throughout the years I have organized many concerts bringing Polish artists here to the United States to perform on behalf of Poland. I also was involved in bringing Polish Children from Poland to Buffalo and Niagara Falls to visit. Their trip was sponsored by Past First Lady Jolanta Kwasniewska, who I was honored to meet during a visit to Poland with Father Tadeusz Bocianowski and my husband Ziggy.
I organized the VIII International Convention for Polish School teachers in Buffalo in 2004. That event not only promoted Polish Saturday School but also the PAC. 60th anniversary of PAC was part of the convention, Polonia of Buffalo, Polish television through TV Polonia. The entire convention was filmed and later shown in all countries were TV Polonia is watched.
At the present time I am employed at Sweetworks - Niagara Chocolate Division for the last 20 years. I started as a production worker and I have worked my way up to supervisor. I think I am good example to show that "Polish can do anything".
Awards received - 2004 award from Polish Teacher's Association, 1999 Am-Pol Eagle Citizen of the Year award in Education, and 2006 Leader of Polonia from the PAC.
Christine Jozwiak
Past Community Involvement:
- volunteer in parish fundraising activities
- volunteer for 16 years in cub-scout as treasurer and den mother
Current:
Lions Club:
- member of International association of Lions Club since 1989 (Franklinville-Machias Lions Club) and held many officer positions including President and Secretary (for 12 years). Also served on District Cabinet level as Zone Chairman and Region Chairman. She was the first women to receive the Melvin Jones Fellowship award, the highest honor in Lions Club International, for her involvement and dedication.
- under her leadership, her club has received the International Association of Lions Club International Understanding and Cooperation award for 3 consecutive years, for her involvement in establishing a Lion Club in Rzeszow, Poland and fundraising (including clothing and toy collection) for the charitable institutions in Rzeszow, Jaroslaw and Przemysl, Poland.
Polish Union of America (as First Lady):
- organized joint fundraising efforts between the Polish Union of America, District 20N Lion Clubs, and the Polish Heritage Festival for charitable institutions in Poland since 2003 (including Buffalo-Rzeszow Sister Cities Organization in 2002).
- as co-editor of the Polish Union of America's newspaper, has continually promoted volunteerism, involvement and support of the effort to help the underprivileged youth, and children with disabilities in Rzeszow, Jaroslaw and Przemysl.
Polish Heritage Festival:
- since 2003, has organized fundraising efforts at the annual Polish Heritage Festival to help less fortunate children in Poland, and bring it to the attention of the public
Summary:
Specifically in 2007, Christine has organized a year long fundraising effort named "Change for the Children", to raise money for an educative center and orphanage in Jaroslaw, Poland that was almost shut down because it did not meet with occupancy/health codes. This year long effort raised $15,600, and as promised, 100% was given to the Sisters in Service to Mary for the renovation, improvements and addition to the building. Because of this fundraising effort, the Sisters were able to apply for a loan for the additional funds needed to complete this project. Also, Christine held a fall fundraising drive, "Gifts from USA Santa's", in which the funds provided clothing for the 47 girls who live in the orphanage. As a Lion member, she was able to establish a friendship with another Lion member from Poznan, Poland, who manufactures childern's clothing. He assisted her in this Christmas gift plan by providing at cost, warm clothing for all the underprivileged children, and had it all delivered, saving on shipping costs. So once again 100% of the donations, were used to purchase Christmas gifts to make this a special Christmas, from the people of "Polonia".
March 14, 2008
POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS, WNY DIVISION ELECT NEW BOARD MEMBERS/NATIONAL DIRECTORS
On March 6, 2008 the Polish American Congress held its general meeting/election at St. Stanislaus Marian Hall. It was during the meeting that the ballots were counted.
Richard B. Solecki, President of the Polish American Congress announces results of the election.
Newly formed PAC Board of Directors/National Directors –
Board Members
Richard B. Solecki - President
Michael Zachowicz - Vice President
Andrew Kucharski - Treasurer
Adeline Wujcikowski - Secretary
Most Rev. Edward M. Grosz, D.D. - Chaplain
Mira Szramel - Board Member
Bernadine (Dina) Szymanski - Board Member
Judge Michael F. Pietruszka - Board Member
Edward Reska - Board Member
Rick Mazella - Board Member
Joseph Macielag - National Directors
Richard B. Solecki - National Directors
Congratulations to all!
______________________________________________
March 9, 2008
Dear Members and Friends:
We extend a cordial invitation to you, your family and friends to attend the Polish American Congress, WNY Division Swieconka, Installation and Awards Dinner, Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 5:30 PM. This traditional celebration will take place at St Stanislaus Marian Hall.
We ask you, your family and friends to join us in celebrating this Polish Christian tradition brought forth by our forefathers from Poland. As we share Blessed Food may we also pray and ask God to bring love, peace and unity to the world.
In the past we have honored several individuals for their contributions, devotion to the organization and the upkeep of our culture and traditions. These deserving individuals will be honored at the April 5th dinner.
Tickets for the dinner at $25.00 per person. Table reservations for eight (8). A full course dinner will be served at 6:00 pm SHARP. Kindly make your reservation by or before May 26, 2008, by emailing us at "Contract Us" botton on the top of this page or you may call Adeline Wujcikowski, 827-1722 or Renee Harzewski 835-94
Respectfully,4. We hope you will join us for the "Swieconka, Installation and Awards Dinner.
Richard Solecki Adeline Wujcikowski
President Secretary
