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19 TUESDAY UPCOMING
EVENTS

2017

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New Year’s Meeting

On January 12, 2017 a special New Year's meeting was held at the Amber Health Club with Board of Directors and invited donors and friends.

The meeting was an opportunity to summarize the past year of the Children's Smile Foundation and to wish a farewell to the outgoing President Marek Skulimowski.

From January 2017 until the present, Mariusz J. Śniarowski, Esq., assumed the position of the President of the Foundation.

The Foundation's directors made contributions to the Peter Zendzian Fund, that was founded after passing of father Zendzian, a long-time chaplain of the Foundation, to honor his name. The Fund aims to raise money to help New York children in need.

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Valentine’s Ball

On February 11, 2017 The Children's Smile Foundation held its annual Valentine’s Ball at Jericho Terrace, an elegant restaurant in Mineola, Long Island. The guest of honor was Mrs. Bozena Konkiel, a long-time teacher at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic School, founder of Kobo Music Studio and author of educational articles in Kurier Plus. Mrs. Bozena and her son Nicholas have been supporting our charity for years.

Karolina Beimcik performed two songs on the violin as part of the music program, accompanied by Rafal Sarnecki. Under the instruction of Bozena Konkiel from Kobo Music Studio, Claudia Nytko and Nicholas Kaponyas presented themselves to guests in a classical fashion with a special dedication to the honored Ms. Konkiel.

During the evening a traditional auction of paintings was conducted by Mariusz Sniarowski, the newly elected President of the Foundation.

The auction included paintings by Bogdan Kujawski, Katarzyna Iwaniec, Zbigniew Sokolowski, Waclaw Oczeterko, Justyna Kowalczyk’s shirt and Kamil Stoch’s mini ski suit. The highest price of $ 1200 was reached by the painting of "Sail" W. Oczereto. A bouquet of red roses was also auctioned and sold for $ 300.

Thanks to the donors and good-hearted people, the proceeds from this auction amounted to $ 6,400 and were donated to 16-year-old Gabrysia Florek from Poland suffering from gastrointestinal obstruction and kidney stones.

During the Valentine's Day celebration, there was also a lottery which rose $4,680 with prizes donated by: St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy - Apple Ipad Mini 2 with Wi-Fi 32 GB, American Travel Abroad - Keurig Coffeemaker, Polish Slavic Federal Credit Union - money certificates, Bozena Konkiel - Tickets to the Philharmonic and a certificate to the shop Bergdorf, and Jaroslaw Jakubowski - jewelry from Tiffany & Co.

The band, Secret, ensured that guests were entertained throughout the entire party with a variety of music played throughout the evening. Everybody had a marvelous time and danced the night away.

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Fat Thursday

On 23 February 2017 at the Belvedere Bridge headquarters in Brooklyn, there was a "Fat Thursday” fundraiser organized together with AMN Corporation. In a pleasant atmosphere, with traditional Polish donuts, the directors and friends of the foundation supported the family of Joanna Przedworska from New Jersey, who after her husband passed away is raising five children alone.

At the meeting, the President of FDNY Pulaski Association, Mark Dziemian donated a check for Children’s Smile Foundation of $ 1500.

The amount of $ 7,810 collected at the meeting will be contributed to the account created for Przedworska Family.

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Paint Night

"Paint Night with Smile" was an artistic evening for ladies enjoying painting in a friendly atmosphere. The event took place on Friday, April 28, 2017 in the Polish & Slavic Center at 176 Java Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222.
Experience was not necessary to participate, only a good attitude and a desire to help the recipient of this fundraiser a 2-year-old Jas, who has a life-threatening eye tumor. This little boy was under the care of Doctor Abramson in the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

The instructor, who works for "Paint Boire" taught everybody how to paint with precise steps from start to finish.
Ms. Ewa Zeller, a famous polish artist, also attended this event and helped everyone in painting. Every individual could ask for assistance from this artist.

This event was sponsored by the Polish & Slavic Center, who let us use their facility without charge.
In sum, $1100 was raised for Jas' health services and care in the hospital.

 

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AUCTION

“Evening of Fine Arts", an annual auction of paintings organized by the Children's Smile Foundation, took place on June 10, 2017 at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York.

This event has permanently integrated itself into the cultural calendar of New York’s polish population. It is not surprising that many guests came to the exhibition and the accompanying Auction to view and potentially acquire the works of: Jerzy Chojnowski, Bogdan Kujawski, Ewa Zeller, Magdalena Zawadzka, Jacek Szymula, Maria Nowak, Nina Kedzierska and Krzysztof Koscikiewicz.

Guests were welcomed by the Consul General Maciej Golubiewski, who attended along with his wife.

“An Evening of Fine Arts" had a unique musical setting. In the gallery you could hear young pianists from Kobo Music Studio: Zosia Kulaga, Antoni Zarkowski and Marcin Zarkowski. In the mirror room, in the official part of the venue, classical music was performed by the outstanding young pianist Nicholas Kaponyas from Kobo Music Studio.

The auction was led by Mariusz Sniarowski, president of the foundation, together with the director Joanna Gwozdz. This time, 52 works of art had been released for sale, including Rafal Olbinski's "Love for Love”.

Mrs. Joanna Gwozdz, Director of CSF, received a donation of paintings, more than 20 works from the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw and Lublin, Poland. These were paintings by the university’s’ professors.

The paintings of Zbigniew Sokolowski and Bogdan Kujawski, who have supported the foundation for years, were the most popular. The total amount obtained from this auction was $5,626.

As it is every year, drawings performed by children from orphanages and social centers in Poland were also presented. This was also the first time that children from New York’s polish schools also took part in this event and handed over their beautiful pictures.

The Children's Smile Foundation would like to warmly thank all those who supported the "Evening of Fine Art" - Consulate General of the Republic of New York, artists who donated their works, donors who offered art work from their private collections, musicians, volunteers and all those who financially support the foundation in helping children in need.

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Maspeth Feast

Fairytale Children's Day outing took place on June 3, 2017 at the parish of Holy Cross in Maspeth.

The President of the Foundation, Mariusz Sniarowski, Esq., Executive Director Joanna Mrzyk, and consul Joanna Byszewska-Zapletał of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York, welcomed the guests.

This year's festival was dedicated as a fundraiser for 11-year-old Julia and 15-year-old Daniela Pawliszyn, siblings who lost their parents in tragic circumstances a year earlier. The children are cared for by their aunt in New Jersey.

This event was attended by many families with their children. The Foundation and the sponsors of the festival prepared many attractions for children and adults.

In the artistic gala of the festival we were able to admire performances of talented young artists. In front of the audience performed the Gaudete team under the direction of Ewa Gindorowicz with "fairy" songs prepared specially for this occasion.

Mrs. Maria Paluch, a teacher from the. John Paul II in Maspeth, along with his student Natalia Bar, recited the poem "There was a little frog.” The program would not be complete without a dance performance by the Iskierki team under the supervision of Mrs. Danuta Zakrzewska.

The children eagerly participated in collecting prizes and in the numerous attractions including: a lock to jump with Frozen slide, living room beauty, face painting, tattoos, basketball and arts & crafts.

The prize for the drawing contest "My favorite fairy character" was funded by manager Małgorzata Leniartek from the PSFCU branch in Maspeth. For older children PSFCU prepared cash certificates and for younger ones, toys and sports games.

One of the attractions was a fire truck where children could enter and take a photo with firefighters. The FDNY Pulaski Association, with its chairman, Mark Dziemian, distributed fire hats and organized a fire safety chat for children.

There was also a stand prepared by teachers from the Polish John Paul II school with branded logo clothing. A buffet of traditional grilled dishes prepared and served by the Council’s Foundation directors was also waiting for the guests. Popular among the youngest of guests was the sweet cotton candy and waffles with beaten cream.

Of course, there was a lottery where the earning was fully designated for the Pawliszyn family. The main prize was a Tablet donated by Mariusz Sniarowski, Attorney at The Perecman Law Firm and also the president of the foundation.

A particularly interesting spot in the venue was the annual PSFCU Maspeth table, which prepared and gave out many prizes and corporate gadgets for children.

At the end of the event DJ IKEZ JR took care of the music, and kept guests entertained until 9 pm.

The proceeds of the festival in the sum of $ 4,484 were donated to the Pawliszyn family.

The festival was sponsored by: PSFCU, The Perecman Firm, PLLC, Adam’s European Contracting, Inc, Bridge Capital Enterprises LTD, American Travel Abroad, Syrena Bakery, Maspeth Federal Saving, AJ Greenwich Contracting Inc, Little Einstein Day Care, Kurier Plus, Super Express, Szkola Jezyka i Kultury Polskiej im.Sw.Jana Pawla II, Krakus Deli Inc, European deli, Polish Pages, Ewa Zysk Denistry, Family Dental Care Dr.Bozena Piekarz-Lesiczka, Megiel Funeral Home Inc, Dr.Hanna Lesicka.

 

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Fundraiser for Jaworski Sisters

On August 4, 2017, Agnieszka and Krzysztof Rostek along with Mr. and Mrs. Mierzejewski organized a fundraiser to help Jaworski sisters. The event took place at the Belvedere in Greenpoint. Three years ago, Joanna Jaworski suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage due to the rupture of the aneurysm. Joanna has been a single mother of two girls for many years. During her hospitalization and confinement to various medical facilities, the girls have been under care of a neighbor, Debbie Chevalier.

For three years, the Children’s Smile Foundation has been supporting the Jaworski sisters. Currently, their mother is in a specialized rehabilitation center with a gloomy perspective of any recovery. The girls are without any means to live. The funds collected during this event were used to help in paying for the girls’ education and to buy a used car.

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Moders Lady fundraiser

Children’s Smile Foundation held a “Modern Lady” fundraiser on September 8, 2017 in Brooklyn, NY.
Our special guest of the evening, Aleksandra Accardo Makeup Artist, was showing us the secrets behind good makeup. The participants got to know the new trends and shades used for eyeshadow or lipliner.

Our second guest, who is specializing in styling, Jola Gajczyk, is an Image Consultant. She told us what a modern woman should look like. It was an eventful evening with good company and a glass of wine.

Proceeds from this evening were donated to help a four- year old, Michelle Stepniarek from Connecticut who was born with a micro-cardiogram, a congenital defect of the pinna and ear canal. Michelle is not able to hear through her left ear and needs to use a special hearing aid. Ear reconstruction is a procedure that is not refinanced by the insurance company and it costs around $50,000 dollars.

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RUN

The Children’s Smile Foundation, along with the Polska Running Team, organized the 3rd annual “Children’s Smile Foundation’s 5K October Run”. It took place on October 15th, 2017 in Forest Park, Queens, New York.
This year 156 runners participated. Similarly, to previous years, the run started off with the youngest age groups: 4-7 years old. In this category, Sebastian Pac finished in 1st place, Matthew Kozdra - 2nd place, and Tomek Kochanek in 3rd place. In the 8-13 age group, which ran 1,000 meter, Alexander Jopek finished in 1st place, Giovanni Dama - 2nd place, and Damian Traska in 3rd place.

For medalist Alexander Jopek, this would be his 2nd time winning 1st place, as he had also won in 2016, with the fastest time for the 1K race.

The 5K run for adults was won as follows:

1st place in the women’s category was achieved by Zaneta Bogusz, with a time of 21:49, 2nd place - Marta Wawrzusiak (22:14), and finally, 3rd place, Justyna Brzezinski, with a time of 23:15. Among the men, Krzysztof Rzaca took 1st place (21:09), 2nd place - Pawel Mysliwiec (21:19), and 3rd place was Tomasz Przepiora (21:30).
The sponsors of the race topped it off by awarding the participants with various refreshments afterwards. Coffee, as well as delicious cakes from “Syrena Bakery”, located in Greenpoint, and traditional Polish doughnuts “paczki” from the bakery, “Pieklo” in Maspeth, were generously offered.

Mariusz Sniarowski, president of the Children’s Smile Foundation, along with director, Malgorzata Czajowska, presented the winners with trophies and medals. Awards for the top athletes were funded by the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union in Maspeth, and were presented by Ms. Hanna Olszowska herself.

This Sunday event had a very successful turnout and proved to be a wonderful way for families to spend time together. The day was full of joy, which was made evident in the plentiful smiles seen on participants’ and coordinators’ faces.

This year’s honorary guest was 4-year-old Michelle Stepniarek, for whom this run was dedicated. Michelle and her family drove all the way from Connecticut for this race, in which they also took part.

This year’s “Children’s Smile Foundation 5K October Run” raised money for a reconstructive surgery that Michelle needs to have on her ear. Following the run, the foundation donated $4,521.00 for this cause.

The Children’s Smile Foundation wants to thank all participants and sponsors from the bottom of their hearts for all the love and support. Special thanks to the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, Polska Running Team, Belvedere Bridge, Victoria Consulting & Development LLC, Vision Financial Planning, the Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C, AMN Corporation, Cobalt Mechanical, Inc., Siedlecki Construction, American Travel Abroad, Pulaski Association of Business and Professional Men, Inc., ETS Contracting, Inc., and the School of Polish Language and Culture in the name of St. John Paul II in Maspeth.

We want to thank all of the Polska Running Team, who helped organizing this event and Artur Tyszuk who sponsored two cash awards to lucky participants selected in a lottery. Also, a big thank you to the volunteers, who were a tremendous help.

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Halloween Party

The Children’s Smile Foundation had a pleasure to host a Halloween Party! This fun event took place on October 28th, 2017 at the St. Stanislaus Post # 1771 in Greenpoint.

The participants were dressed up in Halloween costumes and each and every one of them was clearly a hit! The creativity and diversity of costumes delighted everyone. To name just a few, there were witches, Cleopatra, Supermen, Pocahontas, Barbarian Woman, Pirates, Indians, Batman, and many others. In the competition for the coolest costume won Cruella from the movie "101 Dalmatians” and Indian Chief with a great plume on his head.

There was a great entertainment provided by DJ Jaro and tasty cold and hot buffet were prepared by CSP Cafeteria. The great prizes, from the famous Tiffany’s were sponsored by the Foundation’s Treasurer, Beata Jakubowska.

 

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Meeting with Santa

On December 2, 2017, Children's Smile Foundation organized the annual holiday party, "Meeting with Santa" in St. Matthias R.C. Church in Ridgewood. Some of our special guests included consuls Matthew Gmura and Sabina Klimek with their families. The money raised from this event was donated to the Reverend Peter Zendzian Fund. The Fund was created 2 years ago after his death, to honor him and all the good work he has done in our community. Reverend Peter has been the Chaplain of the Children's Smile Foundation since 2005. His death was a tremendous loss to us all who knew him and were touched by his kind heart.

The families that came to the “Meeting with Santa” event had an abundance of activities awaiting them, including dance contests, arts & crafts, face painting by Ewa Maria Weglarz and Dagmara Weglarz, a Magic Show performed by Chris Baxter, a lottery with magnificent prizes, as well as a performance by the children's group "Gaudete" from Maspeth, led by Ewa Gindorowicz. The choir sang many Christmas carols. There was also plentiful food, including a hot dinner from European Deli in Middle Village. The music was performed by "The Masters." All children received a gift hand delivered to them by Santa Claus, containing goods from "Lowell Foods."

Once again, this annual event was a great success. The lottery alone, raised $1,775, which allowed our Foundation to help families in New York that were in need during the Christmastime. The fundraiser would not have been the same without the help of our sponsors, including, Lowell Foods, PSFCU, Syrena Bakery, Piekło Bakery, Bridge Capital Enterprises, Ridgewood Saving Bank, The Heller Law Firm, Joanna Gwóźdz, Esq, Migiel Funeral Home, and Little Einstein Day Care. Also, a special thanks to our volunteers: Julia and Anthony Izak, Peter and Tomasz Draus, Natalia Kurowski, Claudia Bis, Michael Mrzyk, Tymoteusz Paczesniak, Urszula Palecka, Sylvia Boguniecki, Lia Papafloratos, Marzena Boguniecka, Ewa Weglarz, Dagmara Weglarz, Urszula Starmach, Malgorzata Mrzyk, Dorota Sawicki, Patrick Starmach, Martin i Matthew Czarnecki, Alicja Gwozdz, Dominik Mikucki, Dorota Izak, Gosia Draus, Andrzej Zera and Tomasz Bar.

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Children’s Holiday Smile with PSFCU

The 2017 edition of the annual Children’s Holiday Smile charity drive has ended. The collection organized by the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union and Children’s Smile Foundation yielded 4601 donations totaling $104,567. Since the Children’s Holiday Smile campaign began in 2014, the Polish-American community in New York, New Jersey, and the Chicago areas has contributed a total of over $500,000.00 to children’s hospices in Poland and needy sick children in the United States.

During this year’s fundraiser, PSFCU members donated money to three children’s hospices in Poland, and all the funds went to the bank accounts of those institutions, because the PSFCU does not charge any fees for the collection or transfer of funds. Therefore, the Silesian Children’s Hospice Foundation for Children in Tychy (the institution recommended by Poland’s First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda) will receive $22,030. The Little Prince Children’s Hospice in Lublin, the only home-care and inpatient hospice for children in southeast Poland will get $37,857, while the Warsaw Children’s Hospice Foundation will receive $20,566. The amount of $24,113 will go to the account of the Children’s Smile Foundation to help sick Polish-American children in the United States.

This was the fourth edition of the joint campaign by the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union and New York’s Children’s Smile Foundation. The amount of funds raised since 2014 has now exceeded half a million dollars. “It has become a pre-Christmas tradition for our Credit Union members to show their compassion and willingness to share with those in need. What pleases me the most is that the fundraiser is now a permanent item on the calendar of Polish community events, and during these four years we have been successful in collecting half a million dollars for seriously ill children,” said PSFCU Chief Executive Officer Bogdan Chmielewski.

In addition to this year’s recipients, previous editions of the Children’s Christmas Smile supported such institutions as the Rzeszów Children’s Hospice, the “Help Them” Hospice in Białystok, the “Alma Spei” Children’s Hospice in Kraków, the “Gajusz” Hospice in Łódź, the Rev. Józef Tischner Memorial Hospice in Kraków, and the Blessed Rev. Michał Sopoćko Memorial Hospice in Vilnius, Lithuania.



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