In May of 2008, the Board of the Lithuanian Foundation created a new committee responsible for maintaining communications with and coordinating the activities of our regional representatives. The committee consisted of Laurynas Misevicius, Danute Bindokiene, Violeta Gedgaudiene and was chaired by Almis Kuolas.

The committee focused on three key areas. First, we needed to find several new representatives in communities where we no longer had adequate representation. In some cases our representatives had retired or moved out of the area and in one case had passed away. To all of them we wanted to extend a heartful thanks for their years of service and commitment. We are happy to welcome Eugenija Miseviciene (CT), Zilvinas Bublis (NY, NJ) and Aidas Kupcinskas (MA) as new representatives in their regions. We continue to look for additional representation on the West Coast.

Eugenija Miseviciene, LF representatvive in CT

Second, we wanted to ensure that the Lithuanian Foundation took advantage of opportunities presented by various events to be present and visible in an effort to maximize our exposure within the community. In August of 2008, the Foundation was represented at the annual Lithuanian Day festival and picnic in Frackville, PA where we produced an exhibit commemorating the first emmigration from Lithuania to the United States. Activities continued in September, when Laurynas presented a $1,000 check to the Maironis Lithuanian School in NY as the prize for the 1^st place victory by the NY Athletic Club at the annual North American Basketball Tournament held in Toronto, Canada. In October, we successfully participated at the Lithuanian Days Festival in Los Angeles, attracting 24 new members, many of whom were recent graduates who pledged recurring monthly donations.

Subsequently, in November, The Lithuanian Foundation, working with the Boston Chapter of the Lithuanian Community, organized an evening with “Retro”, a Los Angeles based dance troupe known for their performance of dances from the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. The profits from this event were equally shared between the two organizing groups.

Finally, the Representative’s Committee wanted to ensure that the individual regions were actively continuing their promotional efforts through special memorial mass services commemorating our deceased members, by being present at various private events where families may have requests that donations be made to the Foundation in lieu of flowers or other gifts and that we continue to work with other local organizations, many of which we support through our annual donations.

Almis Kuolas

Member of the LF Board

Chair of the Representatives Committee – 2008-2009