Polish-American Organizations In Connecticut Are Uniting To Help Ukraine

By Ciara Hooks, The Bristol Press

March 10, 2022

As the war in Ukraine continues to ravage through the country, the Polish-American organizations in Connecticut are uniting to help victims by hosting the Polonia for Ukranian War Refugees Charity Concert this Sunday.

“New Britain has a big population of Polish people and the first call I made was to Lucian Pawlak who was a former Mayor of New Britain and the person who was always helpful organizing and putting everything together for many people when we have ideas for these events,” said Mariola Boruch-Karwacka, co-organizer.

Pawlak has been doing the groundwork reaching out to media outlets, passing out posters and spreading the word.

“This is a great time for the New Britain community to come together, come to Trinity-On-Main and see some world class performers and also help with support for those in Ukraine who are really suffering in a variety of ways that I can’t even imagine,” expressed Pawlak.

Guests will be serenaded by several of Connecticut’s musical talents for a good cause. All the artists are performing these musical numbers free of charge.

“Everybody loved this idea to attend this concert and the musicians and the artists from different groups they absolutely loved to be a part of this,” said Boruch-Karwacka.

The performing artists include St. Faustyna Choir (with fr. Norbert Siwiński) from Bridgeport; Polanie, a Polish Dance and Song Ensemble from Bridgeport; Karolina Wojteczko, mezzosoprano; Krzysztof Medyna, saxophone; a solo from Jan Rudziński; Piotr Olejniczak Kameleon, vocal and guitar; a solo from Jarek Majka; Adrian Sylveen, director at CT Lyric Opera; a solo from Dorota Kościuk-Borkowski; Renata Krzyszczyk-Kwaśni who will be playing the piano; Polonia Paderewski Choir lead by Klaudia Naumowicz Niewiadomska; Yevshan a Ukrainian Choir directed by Alex Kuźma; Zolotyj Promin, a Ukrainian Dance Ensemble; and a solo from Julia Bielski.

A Ukrainian priest from St. Michael’s Arch Church is going to do a prayer for Ukraine and a church singer from New Britain will be performing a hymn as well.

“So, it’s going to be spiritual and give them (Ukraine) more hope; even though we are far away our hearts are with them during this horrible time,” said Boruch-Karwacka. “The Polish people know what the war means, they hear from their grandparents how bad things are. Though the war is in Ukraine the Polish people feel like they’ve been hit themselves and we have to come together for our brothers and sisters during this horrible situation.”

All the proceeds from the concert will be distributed among institutions and organizations that assist Ukrainian war refugees in Poland.

“We have aids and contacts in Poland, and we talked about the specific needs and those will be addressed based on the money that’s raised,” explained Pawlak.

This event is organized by Polish-American organizations in Connecticut under a patronage of the Polish-American Foundation, Inc (PAF).

All are welcomed to buy a ticket to attend the benefit concert at Trinity-On-Main at 3:30 p.m. Trinity-On-Main is located at 69 Main St. in New Britain. Covid-19 guidelines are in place at Trinity and masks and social distancing are required when attending the event.

General admission tickets are available at $50 and can be purchased in a Max Mart store, 104 Broad St., New Britain, CT 06053. They can also be ordered by phone by calling 203-414-1619 or 203-554-1163.

Those who can’t attend the concert can still donate by sending in a check to the Foundation’s P.O. Box at Polish American Foundation Inc. P.O. Box 1525, New Britain, CT 06050-1525.