Dear PACIM Members,                                                                    
Witam Wszystkich Serdecznie, 

Thank you for another wonderful year! The PACIM Board would like to express our gratitude for your participation and volunteering at our events and your generous sponsorship!

We started the 2022 year in a new locale. The PACIM office and library were moved from the expensive Riverplace site to an accessible, one-story building in Little Canada, thus saving 50% of our rental costs. Other advantages of the current location are free parking and access to the spacious, free storage. During the Open House on February 27^th we welcomed our members and celebrated Fat Tuesday with pączki and faworki.

Shortly after Ukraine was attacked by Russia, PACIM was asked to participate in the “Support Ukraine” rally at the State Capitol on March 6^th. We met with the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz and later I gave a speech. At that time millions of Ukrainian families were fleeing violence. The PACIM Board decided to help refugees by starting a fundraiser on our website. In September we transferred $24,500 to Caritas Poland, the organization that works directly with Ukrainian refugees. You can read more about how Polish people support Ukrainians in Poland in the summer issue of Polam.

Another important development this summer was PACIM’s patronage of the playground in Skorogoszcz, Poland. In April 2022 I traveled to Dom Dziecka (orphanage) to finalize the design of the jungle gym that PACIM sponsored using $15,000 from the Walicki Fund and 2021 Wigilia proceeds. The playground was opened for the orphan children in July 2022.

PACIM was busy this year planning four events: Fat Tuesday in February, the Family Picnic in August, the Soup Festival in November, and Wigilia in December. The well attended events brought an income of about $4,000. Please mark your calendars for the 2023 Bal Karnawalowy that will take place on January 28, 2023, at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. You can expect a tasty meal, joyous music, and a first-rate performance by Dolina dancers!

This year the Wigilia dinner will take place on Sunday, December 11th at Kolbe Hall, Holy Cross Church. Former Gasthof chef, Marian Pierzchalski, is planning a delicious meal that will include herring in oil, red borsch with “uszka”, fried perch with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, mushrooms, pierogies, cake, and dry fruit compote. Please reserve your seat by December 4th by sending a check for $50 for adult members, $60 for non-members, and $20 for children under 15 to the PACIM office or by paying online at www.pacim.org. 

PACIM will host the Annual Membership Meeting and Elections on Sunday, November 20th at 2 pm at 93 Little Canada Rd W. We will be voting for five Board members, voting on revision of the Bylaws, and brainstorming activities for 2023. If you are not able to attend, we will send you a link to electronic voting to the email address we have on file.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Edyta Dudek

PACIM President

“I am honored to have an opportunity to lead the Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota in 2021. In the past few months, we put a lot of effort in reconstruction of the organization and will continue the process this year.

I see PACIM as an organization that represents all Polish-Americans living in Minnesota, young and old, those who were born in the US of Polish ancestors, and those who arrived from Poland just recently. At our first meeting we have created committees that will focus on different aspects of PACIM mission, and just like the different parts of one body, the groups will be working together to create a thriving organism.

My hope is that the organization will become a home to all who cherish Polish culture
and traditions.”

Edyta Dudek
PACIM President