THE 55TH ANNUAL 2 0 1 4 ABOUT POLISH ASSISTANCE Polish Assistance provides financial support to needy persons of Polish origin who are facing unforeseen hardships. Beneficiaries receive assistance in meeting daily expenses, usually to supplement low social security payments or to cover extraordinary medical bills. Recipients also include homeless, those in need of medical treatment, and handicapped people who are unable to care for themselves. Polish Assistance also continues its involvement in many Polish causes. To accomplish this, Polish Assistance solicits donations through dues and a series of fundraising activities, such as the Bal Polonaise. Our organization was founded in 1956 by Count and Countess Jan Dembinski, together with the support of their friends: Aniela Mlynarska Rubinstein, her husband Maestro Arthur Rubinstein and the cosmetics queen Helena Rubinstein. Initially, the activity of Polish Assistance consisted of small grants and loans to individuals in need. It proceeded to own and operate three homes in New Jersey for elderly Polish immigrants of limited means. Under the aegis of the presidency of Teresa Sulimirski and subsequently Jadwiga Palade, the focus of Polish Assistance changed from providing group homes for elderly Poles to direct assistance for individuals. Since its inception, Polish Assistance has eased the lives of many people. Eminent participants in former balls include Princess Grace of Monaco, Princess Stanislas Radziwill, Princess Lucie Shirazee, Count Adam Zamoyski; numerous ambassadors and statesmen, including Zbigniew Brzezinski; and famous actors like Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Basil Rathbone, and Joan Fontaine. More recent honorees include Operatic Diva Martha Eggerth Kiepura, Tenor Piotr Beczala, Count Wladyslaw Poninski, President of the Association of the Polish Knights of Malta. We have also honored such renowned authors as Jerzy Kosinski, “The Painted Bird” and “Being There”; Lynne Olson and Stanley Cloud, “A Question of Honor”; and David Ensor, CNN Correspondent, “Warsaw Rising: The Forgotten Soldiers of World War II”. Polish Assistance, Inc. 15 East 65th Street, New York, New York 10065 212-570-5560 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.polishassistance.org Polish Assistance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit charitable organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. A copy of the annual report and registration filed may be obtained by contacting Polish Assistance, Inc. at 15 East 65th Street, New York, NY 10065, (212)570-5560 or [email protected]. State specific notices. If you are a resident of one of these states, you may obtain information or annual report and registration directly from the state agency. Registration with a state agency does not constitute or imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by that state. Florida: A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state (800) 435-7352. New Jersey: Information filed with the attorney general concerning this charitable solicitation may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling (973) 504-6215 and is available at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp.htm#charity New York: A copy of the most recent annual report is available from the State of New York Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, New York, 10271. to benefit Polish Assistance, Inc. The Plaza Hotel, New York City Saturday, February 8, 2014 Programme THE GRAND POLONAISE The Bal Polonaise commences with the dancing of the Polonaise. This procession to music traditionally opened and closed special celebrations, whether they were coronations, honoring dignitaries or other royal and noble functions. The origin of the dance dates from 1573 when Henry, Duke of Anjou (later King Henry III of France) was elected to the throne of Poland. The ladies and gentlemen of Polish nobility passed in this ceremonial parade before him in Krakow to the sound of stately music. Mrs. Jadwiga Krajewska Palade and The Honorable Ryszard Schnepf The Honorable Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka and Chevalier Cesare L. Santeramo, K.C.S.J. The Honorable Aldona Wos and Mr. Louis DeJoy Lady Blanka A. Rosenstiel and Mr. Marek Chodakiewicz Mrs. Nancy Nareski and Mr. William J. Nareski II Mrs. Katarzyna Beczala and Mr. Piotr Beczala Mrs. Katherine Kolasa and Dr. Christopher Kolasa Dr. Ann Pyz and Dr. Tadeusz Pyz Dr. Ava Meyerhoff Sierecki and Dr. Mitchell Sierecki Mrs. Eva Skibicki and Mr. Christopher Skibicki Nina Mlodzinska de Rovira and Mr. Marcelo Dos Santos-Remizov Mrs. Mariola Gorska Haggar and Dr. Joseph G. Haggar Countess Dagmar de Brantes and Edward J. Westlow Esq. Mrs. Janina Boral and Dr. Andrew Boral Miss Lindsay Davis and Mr. Russell Skibicki GUEST OF HONOR Lady Blanka A. Rosenstiel WHITE EAGLE AWARD RECIPIENT Mr. Witold S. Sulimirski AMICUS POLONIAE AWARD Mr. William J. Nareski II MASTER OF CEREMONY Chevalier Cesare L. Santeramo, K.C.S.J. MUSIC Alex Donner and his Orchestra Congratulations and Best Wishes GUEST OF HONOR Lady Blanka A. Rosenstiel WHITE EAGLE AWARD RECIPIENT Witold S. Sulimirski AMICUS POLONIAE AWARD RECIPENT William J. Nareski II 2014 BAL POLONIASE CHAIRS Mrs. Katherine Kolasa Dr. Ann Pyz Dr. Ava Myerhoff Sierecki Mrs. Eva Skibicki Thank you I personally appreciate and thank you for your continued involvement and outstanding dedication to our organization. With great respect and affection Jadwiga Krajewska Palade Message from Co-Chairs of the 55th Annual Bal Polonaise Distinguished Guests and Dear Friends, It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to our 55th Bal Polonaise fundraiser. Warmest greetings to our dignitaries, loyal friends, long time attendees, as well as to our first time guests. Tonight, for the 55th time, we uphold the finest Polish traditions and honor Poland and the United States of America. As we pay tribute to our honorees and celebrate each other, let us not forget the Mrs. Katherine Kolasa founders of Polish Assistance and of the Bal Polonaise — Maria Dembinski, Aniela “Nela” Rubinstein, and Helena Rubinstein. They were all very strong women of influence whose dedication to help those less fortunate was continued by Teresa Sulimirski, and now is carried on by our current President, Jadwiga Palade. We would be remiss not to recognize Jan Dembinski, Arthur Rubinstein, and Witold Sulimirski, who for many years were also at the helm of the Polish Assistance. We are especially honored to acknowledge Wanda Wolinski who was a member of the First Ball Polonaise Committee and who continues to be a member of the Board of Directors of Polish Assistance. In addition, Dr. Robert J. Campbell II K.C.S.J. is attending his 53rd ball. We wish them both Sto Lat! There were so many over the years who have carried on the mission of the Polish Assistance and they deserve recognition and our special gratitude. We thank the current Board of Directors for their dedication to this important cause. We extend a Dr. Ann Pyz very special thank you to Jadwiga Palade, whose drive and determination is an inspiration to us all. Special recognition goes to current Board members, namely Nina Mlodzinska de Rovira, Nina Thiessen, Blanka Rosenstiel, and Cesare Santeramo, whose photos we saw in the earliest copies of the Souvenir Journals reminding us of their enduring dedication to Polish Assistance. We welcome the newest Board of Directors’ members: Ewa Meyerhoff, Malina Stadnik, Eryka Volker, and Greg White. We encourage all of you to get involved. Eryka Volker is a well- known activist in the Polish community and has been involved in charity work for over 25 years. She has great insight into the needs of those who are less fortunate. Her work on behalf of the needy has been profiled in many newspaper articles as well as on local TV. Ewa, Malina, and Greg bring business expertise. Please join us in recognizing and expressing a special thanks to everyone who has worked very hard to make our 55th Bal Polonaise a success. We dedicate a special Dr. Ava Meyerhoff Sierecki page in the Souvenir Journal to them, and we appreciate their efforts. We thank our spouses for their support — Dr. Christopher Kolasa, Dr. Tadeusz Pyz, Dr. Mitchell Sierecki and Mr. Christopher Skibicki. Ava Meyerhoff Sierecki wishes to recognize her mother, Ewa Meyerhoff, and Eva Skibicki wishes to recognize her mother, Jadwiga Palade. It is with their encouragement that we carry on the mission of Polish Assistance. Thank you for your generosity. Please bid generously and buy raffle tickets. By supporting Polish Assistance and by attending Bal Polonaise, you allow us to provide aid to the needy and the elderly people of Polish origin in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Mrs. Eva Skibicki Best wishes for continued success to Jadwiga Krajewska Palade We are very proud of you and your accomplishments and you are the essence of a Woman of Influence Eva, Christopher, Russell and Lindsay Karolina and Niklas Message from Jadwiga Krajewska Palade President Polish Assistance, Inc. Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the magnificent Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel. Today, we celebrate the 55th Annual Bal Polonaise to benefit Polish Assistance so it may continue to offer financial assistance to those in need in the Polish community. This year our Guest of Honor is Lady Blanka Rosenstiel. Lady Blanka has been involved in Polish Assistance for many years and currently is a member of the Board of Directors. Her insight and experience in running many organizations is invaluable to us as we expand our organization and its activities. The White Eagle Award is presented to Mr. Witold S. Sulimirski. Witold's contributions to Polish Assistance are simply too many to list. Over the years he has served as Chairman, President, Treasurer, and Director of Polish Assistance.