Five hundred people took part in UCU’s first charity run, with Metropolitan of Philadelphia and President of the university Archbishop Borys Gudziak. The goal of the run was to collect donations for the DoNatsia scholarship fund, which helps talented students receive an education.
The event began at 9:00 am, joining in a national minute of silence. Archbishop Borys blessed the run. In prayer, all honored the memory of slain defenders and victims of the war. The archbishop also asked for prayer for refugees, a just peace, and the victory of God’s truth. He wished strength and good spirits for all.
Participants in UCU’s first charity run
Participating in the run were students, professors, staff, good friends of UCU, representatives of the local and regional government, veterans undergoing rehabilitation at the Unbroken center, and residents and guests of the city of Lviv who love to move and believe in quality education and are ready to support it. The event was broadcast online for people from various parts of Ukraine and the world. Taras Babenchuk hosted the broadcast on the Zhyve Telebachennya (Live TV) channel.
Participants were able to join the run by signing up for the DoNatsia scholarship fund, at any affordable amount. Each participant chose how far and at what speed to move. Some ran the whole route, which was five kilometers through Stryiskyi Park; others walked; and children even rode on bicycles or in wheelchairs.
Participants in UCU’s first charity run
Everyone who finished received a medal. After the run, Archbishop Borys gave a lecture for all present on a field near the University Church of the Holy Wisdom of God. He admitted that he is not a runner, but today, like everyone else, he is a medalist — a medalist of dignity and relationships.
“Our run today manifests relationships. Our brothers and sisters in the war are risking their lives so that their children and family can live well. It’s important that we who live here, on the home front, encourage one another and those on the frontlines. If we are strong, smiling, we are unbeatable, because the enemy does not rule us today. We are defeating them. And a symbol of our victory includes this run, this walk. The goal of our run is to strengthen our resilience. We have a great task of global significance – Ukraine must endure, we must live. Children must be born. Smiles need to be on our faces – worthy of the image of God, of those who are together, who are not abandoned, not alone, who carry this communion, unity, and love to those who need it most. We bring this gift, and it will multiply.”
Participants in UCU’s first charity run
We note that the organizers’ goal was to gain more than 1000 new subscribers for UCU’s DoNatsia scholarship fund. This year the DoNatsia fund received special support from business leader Adrian Slywotzky. The friend and benefactor of UCU said he will triple each donation if the fund gains 1000 new subscribers. And thanks to the participation of people in UCU’s run, the goal was reached!
Archbishop Borys in a special way thanked Adrian and Christine Slywotzky, as this is not the first time they have challenged the university and its friends to do great things together.
“We thank Adrian and Christine for your initiative and your generosity. Thanks to this, many students will be able to study here, on this land, and get ready to transform and rebuild it. How good to have friends throughout the world. We are not alone,” said the archbishop.
Lyubomyr and Nataliya Tarnovskyy took part in the run with their son, Matviy. Lyubomyr, UCU’s Vice-Rector for Administration and Finance, prepared long for the run. He ran in the park, so today’s route was easy for him. His wife, Nataliya, head of projects and programs at UCU’s Child Dignity Center, covered the distance at an easy speed: “It’s great to start a Saturday at UCU with music. It was very nice and energizing,” admitted Nataliya. Lyubomyr added that he would like events like this to become an annual tradition, since it was a nice opportunity to see good friends and join in support of UCU’s students.
Taras Kytsmey, Co-founder and Board member of Softserve, also joined the run.
“It’s great here, fun, lots of friends. It’s not only a sport but an opportunity to interact. It’s energizing. We should be together, because it makes us strong,” he emphasized.
A student of the UCU bachelor’s degree program Ethics.Politics.Economics, Roksolana Sanyuk, herself is a scholarship student, and she also took part in the run and signed up for DoNatsia.
“It seems a simple thing – running in the morning. But, in addition, you join in a big effort for your community and students like you. It’s great to feel that a large amount of people are running for a good goal: to support UCU’s students. It’s inspiring and impressive,” she shared.
Alexander Kuzma, Chief Development Officer of the UCU Foundation (USA)
We note that among those receiving scholarships from the DoNatsia project are UCU students who have lost parents; people with disabilities; children from low-income families; children whose parents have taken part or are taking part in the Russia-Ukraine War; and those in difficult circumstances. Students who receive scholarships from DoNatsia are also chosen according to the criteria “social involvement and initiatives.” The UCU scholarship commission selects them, and the scholarship covers partial or full costs of study.
The organizers thank the sponsors of UCU’s first charity run:
Sponsor of the start: the Rukavychka retail chain
Sponsor of the finish: the Blyzenko retail chain
Sponsor of the first kilometer: MAYFED
Sponsor of the second kilometer and hydration partner of the event: TM Truskavetska
Sponsor of the third kilometer: ТМ LІМО
Sponsor of the fourth kilometer: hotline.finance
We thank the event’s partners:
ProBig Club, UCU Medical Clinic, Sheptytsky Hospital, City of Lviv Department of Youth and Sports, Lvivska khvylya, CityRun, UCU Alumni, UCU Business School, Druk Tekstyl and ETISOFT, Lyshe Tysha Store, Yulak Sound, Dezart hrup, Espreso TV, Biscotti, Piccolo, and Molokija
