(PL) Six individuals, all well-known in Torontos Ukrainian community, have received Volunteer Service Awards (VSA) from the Province of Ontario. The awards are distributed based on years of volunteer service. Nominations for the VSA come from community organizations across the province. Nominated by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Toronto Branch, Yaroslav Sokolyk, Mykola Baldecky received awards in the 30-year category, while Peter Bubela, Mary Szkambara, Anna Burij and Teodosy Woloshyn were awarded in the 25-year category.

Except for Yaroslav Sokolyk, all are current members of the UCC Toronto Board of Directors. Sokolyk, however, served as president of the organization for many years, and was formerly general secretary of the Ukrainian World Congress.

Mykola Baldecky, the long-time artisitic director of the Vesnyanka Ukrainian dance ensemble, is an active member of the St Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood.

For many years a member of the board of the League of Ukrainian Canadians, Peter Bubela is the former conductor with two local choirs: the Obnova seniors choir, based at the the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Toronto, and with the St Annes Ukrainian Orthodox Church choir in Scarborough.

The immediate past president of the UCC Toronto Branch and recently elected president of the World Federation of Ukrainian Womens Organizations, Mary Szkambara currently sits on a number of boards, including the Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation and Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (UCSS), among others. She is also currently Vice president of the Ukrainian World Congress.

Anna Burij is a long time activist and board member within the League of Ukrainian Canadians and sits on the UCSS board.

Teodosy Woloshyn is currently Vice president on the UCC Toronto board and is active within the League of Ukrainian Canadians and the Kozak Brotherhood.