Delegates from the United Ukrainian Organization of Ohio attended the International Fellowship Day event hosted by Rotary Club of Cleveland.

By Cynthia Schuster Eakin
The Rotary Club of Cleveland celebrated International Fellowship Day on Feb. 23 by honoring the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (UUOhio).
A ceremony and luncheon were held at Windows on the River for the presentation of the International Service Award, accepted by Marta Liscynesky Kelleher, president of UUOhio. This award has been presented to different organizations annually for the past 20 years.
Fund to Aid Ukraine, a not-for-profit entity, was established more than 30 years ago to provide support and humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people in their unrelenting fight for democracy, independence and self-determination. The fund has supported Ukraine as it has persevered through an array of challenges in recent decades. These include a nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, floods, support of hospitals and orphanages, and treatment of the wounded during the Revolution of Dignity of 2014. Most recently, the Cleveland Ukrainian community came together to coordinate medical supplies packed into two ambulances obtained by St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Parma, OH. The ambulances and medical supplies headed to Ukraine via ship from the Port of Cleveland through Antwerp, Belgium.
Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s mission to expand shipping on the Great Lakes provided the Ohio community with a route for assistance to Ukraine as it engages in its current war with Russia. In August, 2022, a Dutch shipping company added an additional vessel to its Antwerp-Cleveland route. Congresswoman Kaptur, Captain Tom Waiter of Central Marine Logistics and UUOhio collaborated to set the stage for an opportunity to ship monthly.
Rotary International marks its 114th anniversary this year, and the Rotary Club of Cleveland is celebrating its 109th year of “Service above Self” to the people of the City of Cleveland and communities around the world. There are 51 Rotary organizations in Northeast Ohio. Cleveland is one of the oldest and largest with more than 100 members. The Rotary Club of Cleveland has a proud tradition of enthusiastic members who have enabled the club to thrive and achieve remarkable success in supporting community and international causes. The group’s goal is to have a vital and diverse club with individuals who are proven leaders and professionals, demonstrating growth, leadership, and holding to the club’s motto of “Service above Self.”
Rotary Club of Cleveland seeks out community needs and works actively to make an impact. The organization has a specific committee dedicated to the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace by using worldwide Rotary resources. Rotary Club of Cleveland member Ingrida Bublys, Honorary Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania noted, “This is a very good group to work on something concrete and expand our horizons to do something good in the world.”
To learn more about Rotary, visit www.rotaryclubofcleveland.com. To lend support to the Aid to Ukraine Projects, go to www.uuohio.org.