The American Polish Assistance Association

Detroit / Hamtramck / New Baltimore, Michigan

In the late 1960's numerous Polish American groups were organized by young third and fourth generation descendants of the Great Eastern European Immigration to the United States.

Among these, attached to a dance ensemble and theatrical group, was a small endeavor to assist the people of Poland, then living under the totalitarian regime of the communist party. The dance ensemble was "Galicja" and the theatrical group was "The Polish American Folk Theater." Both groups were based in the Detroit/Hamtramck area.

Initially, small parcels of medical supplies, vitamins and clothing were sent to village centers, churches and, in particular, the Laski Hospital for Blind Children which was, and still is, located outside of Warsaw, Poland. These small but important projects were carried on for years; and thousands of people benefited from the kindness and charity work of young adults in the metro Detroit area.

In the 1980's, bolstered by increased membership and a new location (Polonia Imports Store in New Baltimore, Michigan) the small group of volunteers created a name - The Polish Emergency Relief Committee - and made its purpose public to all surrounding communities of the new location. Almost overnight, hundreds of people were volunteering to do something for the people of Poland. The "Solidarnosc" movement for freedom began to be common knowledge in the United States and young Polish Americans felt it was their duty to help all of the people who were putting their lives on the line for freedom in the country from which so many Americans immigrated.

To raise funds for parcels the organization began to sponsor cultural activities, language lessons, history classes, dance lessons and numerous projects that would economically foster a regular flow of parcels to Poland. Contacts were made with "Solidarnosc" leaders and children's centers and soon individual packages gave way to ocean containers. These containers, left on the lot of Chesterfield Mall on 23 Mile Rd., would quickly be filled with over 40,000 Ibs. of supplies - reaching the port of Gdansk in northern Poland every two to three months. Much credit for the organization of this movement must be given to the late Ms. Irene Goleski who labored tirelessly in the name of her beloved P.E.R.C.

By the mid 1990's the organization officially changed its name to the American Polish Assistance Association and, with the consideration that Poland had won its independence of the Soviet Union, efforts began to be concentrated on the orphanages of the country and the poor and elderly of village communities. These efforts continue on until today.

The A.P.A.A. has its offices in the Gratiot Office Plaza at 23801 Gratiot, between 9 Mile Road and Stephens. We are pleasantly located next to the wonderful flowers of Semrau Nursery. Presently, the office is open to the public each Saturday from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Everyone is welcome to view and purchase an abundance of Eastern European folk art as well as freshly baked European-style cakes.

All proceeds are for the shipment of parcels to orphanages and children's centers in Eastern Europe.

The organization, from its new office, has already sent over 200 large and richly packed boxes to such places as: the "Betlejem" Center of Nowy Sacz, Children's Homes in Rzeszow, Bialystok, Lublin, Wroclaw, Zakopane, and Przemysl (all in Poland) and numerous orphanages and children's homes in Belarus and Ukraine. The delivery of parcels to these two countries is facilitated by the "Rota" organization in Lublin. Each package is numbered and its contents are listed. All of the records of shipment are part of the public domain and our books are open to all who would be interested in validating the work of the A.P.A.A.

For those who are interested in becoming a part of our work, it is very easy to subscribe to our quarterly bulletin. At the unusually Iow cost of just $5.00, you can receive all of the information relative to our work for the children as well as concerning our work in religious, cultural and linguistic fields. Subscriptions can be arranged at the office or by writing to: A.P.A.A., P.O. Box 116, Eastpointe, Michigan 48021.

Amongst the most popular cultural and religious activities of the A.P.A.A. are its pilgrimages. The oldest is the Holy Thursday Pilgrimage to the Churches of Poletown. Others include the Marian Day Pilgrimage in May, the Pilgrimage to the Shrine at Orchard Lake during the summer months, and the Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Additional undertakings are a small adoption service that will bring children from Poland and Belarus to American families and lessons in the folk arts of Poland that have been passed down from generation to generation. There is also a unique St. Nicholas Project that sends letters to children from St. Nicholas (not Santa) instructing them to "be good, say their prayers, honor their elders and remain faithful to the traditions of their ancestors." This Christmas project begins in the month of October and culminates with letters being sent out to hundreds just before the holidays.

Many people are inquisitive as to how they can help the A.P.A.A. in order to bring smiles to the orphaned and poor children in Eastern Europe. We are always open to everyone's kindness.

At present, the A.P.A.A. searches for the following donations: stuffed animals and small toys; baby clothing, blankets, soaps and other supplies; children's clothing (1-10 yrs); maternity clothing; crayons, colored pencils, multi-colored markers, thin coloring books, new pens and pencils, elementary children's readers and books (English); and, of course, volunteers to help us arrange and pack the boxes that are sent. Our phone number, for further information is 586-778-9766. Donations of cash are also appreciated. Checks should be mad out to the American Polish Assistance Association.

Another avenue of great assistance to the A.P.A.A. is to invite our group to your parish for a Folk Art and Bake Sale. We will bring the Eastern European folk art (pottery, hand-carvings, woven items, embroidery, wooden boxes and plates, original "pisanki", etc.) We also do the baking! What we need is a place to create a mini-exhibition, explain our program to the parishioners and create a greater audience for our work.

What a powerful effect on the sad life o f a child

Would be the memory of that person - perhaps the only one -

Who showed kindness, understanding and respect?

In a world where cruelty had become the norm

The child's future life and sense of himself could take a different course,

Knowing there was one person who would not fail him

Dr. Janusz Korczak

From: American Polish Assistance Association folder, January 22, 2006