The Annual Lithuanian Foundation Gala

At the Lithuanian World Center the members, friends and donors of the Lithuanian Foundation   was assembling on November 5 for the annual gala. This year there were 300 attendees which also included many scholarship recipients. We are pleased that not only individuals but many organizations such as the Lithuanian American Community came to celebrate the grant giving activities of the Foundation.

The arrivals were greeted with selections by pianist Paulius Zdanavičius. The screen displayed the 2016 activities of the Foundation. The tables were decorated with flowers by Evelina Karalienė. Each place setting had a take home gift decorated with the Foundation logo donated by “Bake-for-me”.

The announcers of the evening were scholarship recipients Gabrielė Bieliauskaitė and Kovas Polikaitis. They presented the Chairman of the Board, Saulius Čyvas. Čyvas thanked the attendees of their donations and gave a short overview of the Foundation activities. A welcoming speech was given by Marijus Gudynas, Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago. He said he also was member of the Foundation, but wasn’t exactly sure why: was it because his wife had a scholarship from the Foundation, or that Agnė Vertelkaitė, a board member works at the Consulate, or is it because the organization is so rich? Consul Gudynas stressed the connections that the Foundation is forging with Lithuania and wished it many more years of activity.

The musical performers of the evening were soloists Nida Grigalavičiūtė and Jeronimas Milius along with guitarists Tomas Varnagiris and Audrius Piragis. It was truly a unique performance as the talented musicians put their hearts into the performance. The program “Musical Bridges” featured selections from Lithuania, US and other countries. The performers were thanked with a standing ovation.

To start dinner, Father Baniulis SJ of the Blessed Matulaitis Mission said grace.

After a meal provided by “Grand Dukes Restaurant”, the attendees drifted around the hall. Some went to get their pictures taken and remember the event by photographer Sandra Scedrina. Other went to dance to the the music of Jūratė and Rimantas Grabliauskas. Others spent time with friends and caught up on recent news.

We are grateful to all the attendees for their belief in the Lithuanian Foundation. It is satisfying to have so many with common interest. Let us continue to work together so that the Lithuanian flame continues in all of our hearts.

LF information

Pictures: Sandra Ščedrina.