(Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Community coming together

Mann Northway GM donates $10,000 to keep P.A. Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club on their feet

Apr 2, 2022 | 8:00 AM

The Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club got some much-needed help from Mann Northway GM Friday afternoon.

The dance club received $10,000 from the local dealership to help keep them operational after the COVID-19 pandemic took a financial toll on the organization.

“It means the club can plan for future events, can plan for growth, have the security of knowing that our children will be able to dance in our own community and be a part of our own community because there was a real chance of that not happening next year in the situation we were in,” said president of the Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club, Kayleigh Skomorowski. “It’s hope. It means hope.”

She explained they reached a point of financial trouble due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions they were unable to hold their large fundraisers, had to cancel their own dance festival for the last two years, and the fall celebration for the last three years which is a major fundraiser for the club.

“Everything that brought in the much-needed funds to our organization was on pause and then a lot of families and dancers were lost so we also lost the revenue of just registration and involvement with dancers,” she added.

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The money donated means they can finish off their year and plan for next year. As long as they are able to bring their larger fundraisers back, they will be able to carry on.

Skomorowski said as a child she danced which was a connection to her cultural heritage. For her children to continue to have the same opportunity is important for her personally.

“It’s not just about a dance club it’s allowing us to celebrate who we are and be a part of our community Prince Albert,” she explained.

Vice president of the club, Reyna Siwak, said this donation is all about survival.

“We had to do everything we could so that we can continue on, and we have families that are driving in from Melfort, from Christopher Lake, from Shellbrook, which means it’s not just Prince Albert. It’s extended right through communities, as well,” Siwak said.

Mark Ripley, the dealer principal at Mann Northway GM, said it was brought to their attention the club needed help and after he saw how much it meant to the community they wanted to help.

“It’s 44 years a non-profit, so I mean these organizations that run off fundraisers and stuff the last few years it’s really put people in bad spots,” he said. “We’ve been pretty fortunate enough to operate through the last couple years and doing okay so it’s our honour to be able to write a cheque and be able to support them and keep this going. It’s important for the community and it’s important for the kids, right?”

The dance club will be holding a fundraiser to help them get back on their feet on June 11 called Barveenok 911. It will be a dance-a-thon open to the community. It will start off with a drive-in meal from noon to 5 p.m. at the Exhibition Grounds with the dance to follow. People who want to join can fill out a pledge form by contacting them through their website.

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12