Mission Statement:
A community Service Organization dedicated to advancing the welfare of the Rochester Ukrainian-American Community, through the development and support of educational and cultural activities.

UKRAINIANS, TOWN of IRONDEQUOIT
UNVEIL DISTINCTIVE MONUMENT CONCEPT

The Town of Irondequoit and the 100 Years of Ukrainian Settlement in Rochester committee will unveil a masterpiece monument, the first of its kind in the nation, on Saturday, September 20, 2003 (11AM) on the town's West Lawn property at the Irondequoit Town Hall.

In a joint announcement by Irondequoit Supervisor David W. Schantz and leaders from the Ukrainian Centennial executive committee, this exceptional structure will be dedicated and gifted to the Town of Irondequoit, to honor the Ukrainian immigration that settled in Rochester a century ago.

The Town of Irondequoit is the home of approximately 15,000 Ukrainian-American residents. There are approximately 25,000 Ukrainians living in the Greater Rochester area. Irondequoit has become an essential part of Rochester's ethnic diversity, which is the basis of American society.

The commemorative monument was designed by Ukrainian-born artist and sculptor Oleh Lesiuk of Toronto, has a price tag of well over $100,000.00, of which will be bared by the Centennial committee with donations and an engraved" buy-a-brick" campaign.

The monument conception was designed with a theme
in mind.

The two big "wings" are the waves of the ocean, one from the west, one from the east, bridging the two continents; the rough edges of the waves (inside) demonstrate the challenges the Ukrainian immigrants faced in their journey for a better life in the United States.

The cranes in the middle, symbolize two aspects -- a family unit - mother, father, and child, as well as the upward flight of the cranes symbolizing the parents' higher goal of attainment of a better life for their family. Also, cranes can fly elsewhere but always find their way back home, exemplifying the hope that someday that family would return to its motherland, Ukraine; of course, now independent, immigrants can go back and forth more easily.

The sphere upon which the monument stands exemplifies the world.

The 16' bronze structure (sphere and cranes) was commissioned to be manufactured by the Toronto-based famous MST Art Foundry under the leadership of owner Myros Trutiak. Andrew Latyshko, also of Toronto, is the overseer for the granite monument.

In addition to the monument project, plans are in motion to bury a "time capsule" in the spring of 2004, in the same pod of land. The time capsule will be opened in the year 2,103.

The fund-raising campaign is still on-going. A regular engraved brick can be purchase at $100.00 apiece. The corporate brick is $300.00, and an executive granite paver is $500.00. The committee will also sell benches. Bricks / contributions are tax deductible. Payment can be made with a check or credit card and sent to:

100 Years of Ukrainian Settlement in Rochester, NY
P.O. Box 77331
Rochester, NY 14621

To obtain further information on the brick campaign, call 585.663-4977.


RUG, Inc. • PO Box 77331 • Rochester, New York 14621