"RELIEF FOR POLAND" is another project of which P.A.C. is justifiably proud. It was undertaken by the P.A.C. Charitable Foundation in 1981 at the direct request of Lech Walesa and the Polish Episcopate Charity Commission. Through direct purchases, donations, and association with other relief agencies, P.A.C. sent millions of dollars' worth of medical supplies, medicines, medical and technical books, tools, detergents, vegetable seeds, food, clothing (including over one million pairs of shoes), and children's needs (baby food, formula, vitamins). Since 1982, material valued at approximately 77 million dollars was shipped from Michigan through such organizations as World Medical Relief, International Aid of Grand Rapids, and Project Hope. This represents more than 40 per cent of the national total value of shipments. Our volunteers helped gather, deliver, and load materials for shipment. Two especially dedicated groups from the Polish Home Army veterans alternated going to World Medical Relief each week to sort, count, and pack materials. If preparation for some destination other than Poland was in progress, they worked on it with equal zeal. That the shipments were appreciated and needed was confirmed over and over again through letters from the Polish Episcopate and from individuals.
SOCIAL SERVICES have been an ongoing program. During the 1970's we benefited from the federal CETA program, which enabled us to utilize a sizeable staff of workers. Since April 1982, after the CETA program was discontinued, the International Institute has provided bilingual caseworkers who work in the P.A.C. office. Competent professionals, they perform services for immigrants and senior citizens. World Medical Relief currently provides a free prescription program for eligible senior citizens through our office. Also, since 1977 we have Tele-Care service at our office. It is provided by the Wayne County Office on Aging: P.A.C. provides space, a desk, and pays the phone bill. The worker makes regular calls of reassurance and information to homebound persons.
P.A.C. has appealed for clothing, furniture, and dishes for new arrivals from Poland and has stored the items in its building. Holiday food baskets have been prepared and distributed. Referrals, translations, explanations, and information are dispensed to the best of our ability to numerous "walk-in" visitors.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION have been served in many ways. The Scholarship Fund, begun January 2, 1972 as the "Tadeusz Czechowski Scholarship Fund," underwent a name change in 1977 to the P.A.C. Scholarship Fund." Since 1972 grants totaling approximately $97,000 have been made to about 150 deserving students. Members of the "Akademia" Club, a group of Polish-born youth, were separate recipients of scholarships in previous years.
The P.A.C. has supported Polish language classes. It co-sponsored (and financially assisted) annual Polish language contests. For several years it paid $700 annually to a teacher-editor of a weekly "Little Dziennik" segment in the Dziennik Polski. It helped organize a Polish Teachers' Association and in 1987 it revived the group as a P.A.C. member organization. In the 1960's P.A.C. was instrumental in introducing Polish language courses in Hamtramck, Chadsey, and Perishing High Schools. Efforts were made to return Polish studies into parochial schools. We have cooperated with Wayne State University and the University of Michigan in gathering data and by participating in several aspects of Ethnic Studies.
Polish Scouts ("Harcerze") have been supported financially over the years. In 1967 the organization's "Talent Show featured 96 participants... In 1968 P.A.C. donated $900 for Polish History and other brochures (prepared by the Orchard Lake Schools) to parochial and public schools... A 37-volume Polish Bibliography was purchased in 1952 and donated to the Detroit Public Library ... Youth activities of cultural and fraternal member organizations (dance, song, sports) are applauded and encouraged... Even the window displays in our office building are educational; they are thematic, seasonal, colorful, informative, and eye-catching.
The PAC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION was established in 1976 on the initiative of P.A.C. Its members served on the Board of Directors. Its name as official sponsor facilitated legal formalities. P.A.C. offered free use of office space and provided much publicity in its formative period. It now occupies its own building, where it continues to thrive. Its success is a source of pride for all of Polonia. On April 9, 1989, the Credit Union presented a plaque to P.A.C. "in recognition and appreciation ... for providing our common bond and sponsorship."
Page 2 of 4
