The event was attended by dignitaries such as the Consul General of the Republic of Poland and the Consul General of the Slovak Republic. There were also representatives from Check, Hungarian, Italian, and Canadian groups and from the Sick Kids Hospital.
Dr. Russ, who runs a dental practice in Toronto, has donated money to orphanages in many eastern European countries since the establishment of POC in 2000.
“There are poor children all over the place, especially nowadays. Although the world is more wealthy, people are poorer and poorer and poorer,” said Dr. Russ.
Although the snow prevented some people from making it out to the event, 225 guests attended, up from 170 last year.
After Dr. Russ presented the hospitals with the donations, the audience enjoyed a short play by Hans Christian Andersen called “The Little Match Girl.”
After the play, two young girls symbolically sold matches to the audience instead of the traditional raffle ticket sale. This brought in over a $1,000 which went for future distribution by the POC.
At the 2009 last Christmas gala, the POC gave out donations to orphans not only in Poland and Canada, but also in Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. Last year 50 scholarships were awarded to Polish school children. All the proceeds from Christmas collections are awarded to hospitals.
Because all the professionals involved in the organization have their day-to-day duties, the POC relies on donors and the money collected during the Ball Pologne, like the one Dr. Russ organized this April, as well as the annual galas.
Next year Dr. Russ plans to add orphans in the Philippines to the list of countries to which the POC gives donations. Also Slovakia, Ukraine, and Poland will be supported in the next distribution of donations.
