L to R Neil Koziak, Sister Partenia, SSMI, Wanda Kowalchyk, Dr. Serge Cipko,
Dobrodiyka Luba Kowalchyk, Maryana Dublanko and Sister Myroslava, SSMI
The Bishop Budka Charitable Society’s 2025 Annual General Meeting held June 18, 2025 in Edmonton, once again highlighted the outstanding work done by this unique charitable society. It is guided by the principle to “Promote, encourage and assist national and international development.” In keeping with this principle, the Society provides other complimentary charities with a forum to present information about their work.
As has become a tradition, the AGMs feature speakers from different areas of endeavor who are invited to share information about charitable projects, practices or events in the community. This year, the AGM welcomed representatives from the Bridge of Hope who provided valuable information about the charitable work accomplished by a small group of highly motivated volunteers.
The business portion of the meeting was opened Society President Dr. Serge Cipko and was followed by a short prayer asking for the intercession of Martyr Bishop Budka. In his report Dr. Cipko highlighted the many achievements of the Society’s during the last year. It must be noted, that given the rather modest number of volunteers involved with the Bishop Budka Society, their contributions to the community are impressive. Without much fanfare or attention-grabbing promotion, the Society generally supports a broad variety of initiatives and projects. As Dr. Cipko stated: “We are into the fourth year of Russia’s escalated invasion of Ukraine, and, very sadly, aid for Ukraine remains as urgent as ever. Much of the Bishop Budka Charitable Society’s support has continued to be directed to Ukraine.”
Examples of the aid include a donation to the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park to support a project that provides Water Fountains for Ukrainian School Bomb Shelters. The Society purchased a large screen projector for the Lviv Museum of the History of Religion. It partnered with the Calgary North Rotary Club for support of the Kryvyi Rih Medical Rehabilitation Centre for the Injured in Ukraine. The Society also supported the building of a Ukrainian centre in Fátima, Portugal, that “would include a church, a monastery, and a meeting place for Ukrainians around the world to worship in their own rite and learn about Fátima” as explained by Dr. Cipko. The Society is supporting a student from Ukraine to attend the Model United Nations Conference in Banff in November 2025. A donation to the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta was also made.
The Society also supports worthy projects much closer to home, such as providing financial assistance for English as a Second Language programs at McEwan University
and the St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish Aid to Ukrainian Newcomers.
President Cipko noted that the Bishop Budka Charitable Society is a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council, which marked its fiftieth anniversary in 2024 with a conference under the theme “Strength and Unity – Building Community Together.” The Society provided support for some members to participate in this informative, community building conference.
So how is the Bishop Budka Charitable Society able to support so many different projects and causes? Funding is derived in large part from casino revenues and donations from its generous donors. The Society is very fortunate to have a small army of committed volunteers who work at the casinos and fulfill other roles in the Society.
One of the two speaker for the evening was Dobrodiyka Luba Kowalchyk, founder of the Bridge of Hope (BOH) charity along with Maryana Dublanko and Wanda Kowalchyk, both long-time volunteers of the BOH. About twenty-five years ago Dobrodiyka Luba was in Ukraine and witnessed the tremendous need to provide supports for underprivileged children; some were orphans, some were abandoned, some living in poverty and in the last few years the children are victims of the horrific war against Ukraine. Dobrodiyka Luba was compelled to do something. She connected with the Sisters Servants of Mary (SSMI) seeking their involvement and with the blessings of the Eparch of Edmonton, Bishop David Motiuk, the Bridge of Hope was born.
Dobrodiyka Luba said, “There is a need in Ukraine like never before, and wherever you turn around there is a need, for injured soldiers, for injured families. We are looking into the future; we are taking care of the future of the young children that will continue one day. Hopefully with a little help they will have a healthy society to live in when this war is over. So, this is an investment in the Ukrainian future, they will need a healthy society.”
Maryana Dublanko spoke very well about some of the details of the charitable work of the BOH. She shares responsibilities as sponsorship coordinator with Danielle Kowalchyk. The BOH was established in Edmonton and its mission statement clearly describes its mandate:
Our mission is to provide support services through sponsorship and ministering through the Ukrainian Eparchy (Edmonton) to underprivileged children in Ukraine. We work directly with the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Lviv, Ukraine.
The BOH partners directly with the SSMI and works very closely with the Sisters to ensure that resources go directly to the needs of the children. Even though the BOH is centered in Lviv and runs the Home of Hope, a supportive residence for girls, the Sisters oversee thirteen centers throughout Ukraine so that needy children can connect with some of the services they need.
Initially, donated funds were collected and sent directly to the SSMI so they could provide basic meals to begging children, however, as the needs became more apparent, the BOH pivoted to start a sponsorship program where individuals in Canada could sponsor an orphaned or underprivileged child. The number of children in the sponsorship program varies year to year depending on circumstances. Currently 116 children have been identified as being in dire need of assistance and but currently there are only 80 sponsors for the 116 children.
Another project the BOH organizes is the Christmas shoe box program. Some of the children involved with the BOH will not receive anything at Christmas. The donated giftbox may be the only holiday gift they receive. Wanda Kowalchyk coordinates this project and ensures children receive good quality, age-appropriate gifts. Her work continues year-round as she continually sources goods for the gift boxes. These are sent for distribution by the SSMI who make sure the boxes end up in the right hands. A more detailed description of the work done by the BOH can be found on their website at www.ourbridgeofhope.com You can email your inquiries to [email protected]
Dobrodiyka Kowalchyk attended the AGM with two special guests, sisters from the SSMI in Ukraine, Sister Myroslava and Sister Partenia. Both Sisters have worked with the BOH in Ukraine. They will be in Edmonton for a few months and will be meeting with the community to share their firsthand experiences with the BOH.
A short question and answer period demonstrated an interest in the speaker’s subject. The AGM concluded with refreshments and fellowship.
Photo: Lidia M. Wasylyn
Lidia M. Wasylyn
League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, Edmonton Branch
