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Nationwide Appeal
The Polish Museum of
America (PMA) is proud to announce that 2007 marks the 70th anniversary of
its opening. It is the oldest, and one of the largest, ethnic museums in the
United States.
In 1935, Joseph Kania, then
President of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA), proposed
the establishment of a museum to the Board of Directors. His motion was
approved and in 1937 the Archives and Museum of the PRCU was opened. The
museum's purpose was to provide information resources about Poland and Poles
in America to the public and to preserve Polish American history, culture
and heritage for future generations.
In the 1970s, the museum
became a separate entity from the PRCUA known as The Polish Museum of
America. Over the years, the PMA has preserved many historical treasures of
the Polish American community. Today, the museum offers a wide variety of
exhibits and activities. These include programs and educational workshops to
preserve Polish culture and traditions among all generations. The Museum's
Library and Archives also render invaluable services to historians,
researchers, students and genealogists, since the records of many Polish
American organizations are in the Archives.
In 1943, there were 203
organizations that were members of the Museum; however, in 2007 there are
only 32 organizational members of the PMA! Why is there such a difference?
True, many organizations have merged or dissolved, but new groups have also
emerged. Although times have changed, the mission of the PMA has not changed
and neither have its needs. The Polish Museum still relies upon the
generosity of the Polish American community for monetary support to
maintain, restore and preserve its precious artifacts and to offer its
unique resources to all Americans. If Polonia does not support the Polish
Museum, who will?
This institution is not the
Polish Museum "of Chicago". It is The Polish Museum OF AMERICA! The history
and heritage that it preserves belongs to all Polish Americans, regardless
of where they live. It's the history of Poles from New York to California
and from Florida and Texas to Michigan. Yes, the PMA is located in Chicago,
but it is a national treasure that belongs to all people of Polish descent
in the USA. With that in mind, the PMA is launching this nationwide appeal
for funds, during this 70th anniversary, to support its Phase III
renovations.
One way to support the PMA
is through membership. Categories are:
Lifetime
$2,500
Institutional
$250/yr.
Benefactor
$100/yr.
Family
$65/yr.
Patron
$50/yr.
Regular
$25/yr.
All members receive the
quarterly newsletter and free admission, plus other benefits depending upon
the category chosen. The names of all Lifetime members are inscribed on a
permanent plaque in the Museum.
A second way to support The
Polish Museum of America is by donating to the Sabina Logisz Matching Fund.
The PRCUA, a fraternal benefit society in Chicago, has established a
Matching-Money fund to benefit the PMA, named after Sabina Logisz who worked
for the PMA and PRCUA for 67 years! For each dollar donated, the PRCUA will
donate 50c to the PMA, up to a total of $20,000 per phase. Contributions are
used strictly for development and renovations - not for salaries or budgeted
items.
Presently, this fund is
being used for the museum's Phase III restoration project. Although the PMA
received a large grant from the State of Illinois and a $20,000 donation
from the Legion of Young Polish Women to replace the air conditioning system
that is obsolete and non-functional, these funds are insufficient to cover
the entire cost of the project.
The Art Gallery has been
cleared out for the installation of the AC system, therefore discussion took
place about redoing the old flooring, cabinets and lighting in this area, if
we are able to raise the money. Cost estimates are approximately $100,000.
Anyone who donates $10,000 or more will have their name displayed on a
plaque in this area.
The PMA is appealing to all
individuals and organizations throughout the USA to support The Polish
Museum of America, the "Treasure of Polonia," by either becoming a member or
donating to the Sabina Logisz Matching Fund for the Phase III Project.
Let us unite in this most
worthwhile endeavor. For more information, call Joann Ozog at 7773-384-3352
extension 104. Donations are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to:
The Polish Museum of America and send to: Sabina Logisz Matching Fund, 984
N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642-4101. Whatever you donate - large or
small - will help toward attaining our goal of $100,000.
The following is a list of
organizations that support the PMA through membership. Is your organization
on this list?
Life
Members
-
Polish National
Alliance of Brooklyn USA (National)- NY
-
PRCUA Illinois-Indiana
Women's Division-IL
-
PRCUA Society #542-IL
-
PRCUA Society #1415-AZ
-
Polish Advocates
(National) IN
-
Polish American Medical
Society-IL
-
Joseph Conrad Yacht
Club-IL-Pledged $1,000 towards Life Membership;
Institutional
-
Catholic Order of
Foresters-IL
-
PRCUA Society of Our
Mother of Consolation-PA
-
Polish Resistance AK
Foundation-IL
-
Maria Konopnicka
Supplementary School-NY.
Benefactors
-
Polish American
Congress-IN
-
Polish Falcons of
America (National) - PA
-
Alliance of Poles,
Division of PRCUA, MI
-
PRCUA Echoes of Poland
Dance Ensemble-OH
-
PRCUA Maria Konopnicka
Adult Culture Group-IL
-
PRCUA Toledo Chapter-OH
-
Assoc. Sons of Poland-
NJ
-
Friends of Warsaw
Club-IL
-
Polish American
Cultural Center-PA
-
Dom Polski Polish
Literary Assembly Room-NY
-
Tow TK Gr. 843 ZNP-IL
Regular
-
Polish Falcons, Dist
II-IL
-
Polish National
Alliance, Lodge 1758-MI
-
PRCUA Halka Dancers-MI
-
PRCUA John Paul II
Polish School-IL
-
PRCUA Seniors-IL
-
PRCUA Society #606-IL
-
Polish Union of America
(National) NY
-
Polish American Central
Citizens-MI
-
Polish American Police
Association-IL
-
APCC Inc.-CA.
The PMA appreciates the
support demonstrated by these groups and encourages other organizations to
follow in their footsteps.
Since the "Nationwide
Appeal" was initiated in March of this year, the following organizations
have become members of the PMA:
Life
Members
Institutional
Benefactors
In addition to this, the
following organizations have contributed to the Sabina Logisz Matching Fund
as a result of the "Nationwide Appeal":
-
Polish American
Congress, Susanne Lotarski, President - MD - $1,000
-
Polish American
Cultural Club - IL - $1,000
-
PRCUA #78 St. Michael’s
Society - MI - $1,000
-
PRCUA #718 St. Stan's
Society - MI - $1,000
-
PRCUA #1593, Pope John
Paul II Society - MI - $500
-
PRCUA #428 St. Theresa
Society - MI - $250
-
PNA District 10 - MI -
$200
-
Polanki-Polish Women's
Cultural Club - WI - $100
-
PRCUA District #8 - IL
- $100
-
PRCUA #1368 St. Rita
Society - MI - $100
-
PRCUA #162 - MI - $100
-
Polish Heritage Society
- MI - $50
-
PRCUA #1493 Fr. Al's
Society - MI - $25
-
PRCUA Tatry Dancers -
MI - $25
-
Central Citizens
Committee - MI - $25
-
PNA Women's Division,
District 10 - MI - $25
Special thanks are extended
to all these organizations for their support. We ask each and every reader
to bring this nationwide appeal letter to the attention of the organizations
to which you belong. Ask them to either become a PMA member or donate to the
Sabina Logisz Matching Fund for this worthy institution.
Contact: Joann Ozog
773-384-3352 extension 104.
Send contributions to:
PMA
984 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642-4101 |
