On November 3, the Ukrainian National Federation's Sudbury branch had an appreciation dinner for past and present members and to recruit new members. Over 75 attended the event. Dan Bilyk and Slawko Hucal prepared the spaghetti dinner, which was a surprising change from traditional Ukrainian perogies and cabbage rolls. Peter Hucal provided music for the evening and Kasia Hucal volunteered behind the bar. John Hucal, UNF Sudbury branch vice president, delivered the following address:

First of all I would like to thank all of you for coming here tonight for this appreciation dinner for past and present members. I would also like to thank those of you who have volunteered throughout the year and most recently at our Yarmarok, which was a huge success.

At this year's Yarmarok, it was nice to here from our very own Mayor Jim Gordon and parliament members speak so highly of our culture and heritage.

I would like to personally thank Dan Bilyk and Mr Slawko Hucal for preparing our dinner here this evening. This evening is for all of you to relax and to enjoy everyone’s company. In this day and age, we are so busy with our own lives that it seems to get more difficult for us to get together. We plan on making this an annual event.

Our organization is in the rebuilding stage. In the past, our organization had a lot of members, families and friends who were all involved with our organization – UNF, UWO [Ukrainian Women's Organization], War Veterans, UNYF [Ukrainian National Youth Federation], DORIST UNYF, Ukrainian School of Dance, Ukrainian School, Dnipro Choir, the Veselka Dance Ensemble and we even had a Kozak troupe called the Black Sea Kozaks.

Today we have fewer people involved in all of our organizations and in our cultural groups. Many other organizations have had to close their doors because of the lack of interest and membership. Our older members no longer have the strength they once had and I believe that we, the youth must carry the torch and lead this organization and to rebuild it. We need to pull together to keep our beautiful culture and heritage alive. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you, your families, friends and new members to join our Ukrainian National Federation Hall and making one of the strongest Ukrainian branches in Canada.

I would also like to mention the Ukrainian paper, “The New Pathway” is always looking for new subscribers and advertisers. Please take a form and subscribe to the paper. It is in English and Ukrainian. Thank you, and have a great evening.