Donor Appreciation Night:

Each year, we will recognize donors at a Donor Appreciation Night to thank them for their contributions to Copernicus Lodge, and to give them an opportunity to see their donations at work.

To see photos from this year's event, click on the gallery below:

ONE MILLION DOLLAR DONATION HONOURED

On Sunday December 4, the annual Donor Appreciation Night took place at Copernicus Lodge. Over 100 donors took part in the celebrations.  The event started at 6:00PM and recognized the generosity of the donors who have given to Copernicus Lodge Foundation.

The evening highlighted the accomplishment of the Copernicus Lodge Auxiliary for their donation of $1 million to the Copernicus Lodge Foundation. Fr. Michael Smith, a dedicated and hard-working member of the Oblate Fathers of Mary Immaculate, founded the Copernicus Lodge Auxiliary in 1980. In the beginning, the Auxiliary was also called Fr. Smith’s “Blue Birds of Happiness” because the members wore blue jackets. Fr. Smith, the visionary behind Copernicus Lodge, took his idea to the Oblate Fathers in 1972. The Oblate Fathers agreed it was a good decision to build a home for the elderly and tasked Fr. Smith with developing that vision into a reality. Thirty-nine years later, the home thrives. Fr. Smith’s vision for a seniors’ home grew into two buildings, one of which houses long term care residents and the other which is outfitted with self-care apartments. Even though Fr. Smith passed away in 2002, his passion and dedication for the Polish community and, in particular, for Polish seniors lives on. We can see that in the spirit of the Auxiliary.

The Donor Appreciation Night started with lively music by the John Gora Band, a Grammy award-winning band well known in the Polish-Canadian community. The band played familiar Polish music as the guests arrived. Distinguished guests included members of the Copernicus Lodge Auxiliary with Auxiliary president Irene Komorowski, former MP Jesse Flis and his wife Sophie, and members of the Marie Curie Sklodowska Association with MCSA President Alina Brown.  Also present were members of the Knights of Columbus Cardinal Wyszynski Council, and star donors Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Wanda Bielawski, Emily Krula, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Grys, and Sophie and Walter Telewiak. Father Blazejak represented the Oblate Fathers of Assumption Province.

Once all the guests arrived, President of the Copernicus Lodge Foundation Andrew Chomentowski started the formal event of the evening—the plaque presentation to the Auxiliary for their landmark donation. The Marie Curie Sklodowska Association surprised the Foundation with an announcement: a donation of $30,000 to the Copernicus Lodge Foundation.

The evening continued with a delightful performance by Radosc-Joy Vocal Dance Group. Radosc-Joy performances promote and maintain the beautiful folklore traditions of Poland. At the Donor Appreciation Night, Radosc-Joy, directed by Ania Piwowarczyk, performed a unique twist on the Polish traditional “Jaselka,” the telling of the Christmas story. By blending Polish and English together, the group impressed the crowd and everyone joined in singing Christmas carols.

The night ended in dancing, with the John Gora Band playing polka music.