Back in April I mentioned that Ukrainian Adoption Reunion Season had started. One of my favorite gatherings (that I still haven't managed to attend) is the Father's Day weekend at the Ukrainian resort (Soyuzivka) in upper state New York.

The majority of people who attend have adopted from Ukraine. But preadoptive parents are welcome too.

I know people who went last year and greatly enjoyed the experience. The Ukrainian Embassy staff from New York and Washington DC attend the weekend events. I even got a report about it. It sounded like great fun and allowed adoptive parents to directly chat with Ukrainian officials.

Once again Della (fellow adoptive parent that I have known for years) is putting together a video to show during this weekend. She is doing a "before and after" theme. Every Ukrainian adoptive family is welcome to participate. You don't have to be attending the Father's day weekend. You don't have to be American.

She is asking for 2 pictures; before adoption and after. Optionally you can include additional information. This can include a brief description of the events in the photos, recent milestones, talents, age at adoption, age now, region adopted from and first name. If you want to write a short love letter to your child, now is the time.

She needs this by June 9, 2007. Email the photos and information to ukievideopics @ yahoo . com (I am trying to keep Della from being spammed. Remove the spaces from the email address.)

Last year she made the video available to all the adoptive families. I sent a picture in. Natasha loved watching a video with her face in it.

After the Father's Day weekend the video was sold on DVD to raise money for Project Empty Orphanage. In 2006 this charity was able to raise $6,656. This money was used to register Ukrainian children for adoption. Sometimes just a signature stands in the way of a child being available for adoption.

I don't know if the 2007 video will be sold via this charity. I need to ask Della.

If you are coming, you should join the NorthEastUkieFamilies email list. Plans are being hatched via the email list.

Here is an email that I received from the Embassy staff about the event.

Посольство України
у Сполучених Штатах Америки
Консульський відділ

Embassy of Ukraine
to the United States of America
Consular Office
3350 M Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20007

tel. 202 333-7507 / fax 202 333-7510
e-mail: consular@ukremb.com

www.ukraineinfo.us

May 29, 2007


The Embassy of Ukraine
3350 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

Dear Adoptive Parents

The Embassy of Ukraine to the Unites States of America and the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York are pleased to invite all parents who adopted Ukrainian children to a special weekend to be held at a beautiful mountain resort on June 16-17, 2007. This will give you an opportunity to meet other adoptive parents, to discuss issues of common interest and having a lot of fun with your children. What is even more interesting, you will do this in an ethnic Ukrainian resort where you will have a chance to experience the cultural background of your children, and taste the superb Ukrainian cuisine.

On Saturday, June 16, 2007 the official program will begin with registration in the lobby of the Main Building. Members of the Embassy and Consulate will be there to greet you and meet with you. In the evening a dinner is planned with a program of Ukrainian folk dance and music.

You may come for the entire weekend or any part of the weekend you choose. We kindly ask you to respond regarding your participation in this event by e-mail to adoption@ukremb.com or contact us by phone (202) 349-2948.

We are looking forward to meeting you and your family for an enjoyable weekend.

For accommodations at the resort please contact the resort staff directly by June 07, 2007 by calling 1-845-626-4638. To obtain the special weekend rate, please specify that you are attending the Adoptive Parents Weekend. You are invited to view the resort online at www.Soyuzivka.com.



Sincerely,

Olena Brezhnieva,
Consul
(202) 349-2948