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Polish
Mutual Benefit and Friendly Society
BRANTFORD
POLISH HALL, 154 Pearl St.
519-753-0414
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LEARN
ABOUT POLAND
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| The Coat of
Arms of Poland
consists of a White Eagle on a red shield. The Eagle is wearing a
crown.
In Poland, the Coat of Arms is usually called simply White Eagle
(Orzeł
Biały), and it is always capitalized. MORE... |
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History
of Polish Community in Brantford Vol. 2
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| As
mentioned previously,
in 1929 another Polish youth group was formed, under the name of The
White
Eagle Association. Its purpose also was to carry on the cultural and
educational
activities among the Polish people in Brantford. The Association
existed
until April 9, 1032, when, upon the initiative of Mr. Marcin Sasiela,
the
majority of the members made the decision to join the Polish Alliance
of
Canada, an organization existing in Ontario for over 20 years and
having
nine branches in different districts. A week lather, all the
formalities
were taken care of and a new branch of the Polish Alliance of Canada
began
its existence with 16 members. It became Branch No.10, with Mr. Tadeusz
Stachurski as its first president.
The first
years of this organization
were difficult, burdened as it was with financial problems, as the
capital
of the previous Association was frozen. The money was badly needed for
financing an English and Polish school. Until 1938, dances, concerts
and
shows were held in rented quarters to provide a fund for educational
purposes.
By the end
of 1938 the decision
was made to purchase a house for Branch No.10 of the Polish Alliance of
Canada, and in January of 1939 the building at 126 Albion Street was
bought
for the amount of $2,500. This building was enlarged in 1950, with
$125,000
spent on the addition. Again in 1965-1966 another $185,000 was
contributed
towards further enlargement and improvements. At that time the total
value
of the Polish Alliance Branch No.10 property at 126 Albion Street, The
Polish School at William Street, parking lots and a summer resort was
well
over $400,000.
In 1934 the
Ladies' Circle
of Branch No.10 was formed and was very active in development of the
organization.
It was a member of the local Council of Women as well as of the Head
Executive
of the Polish Alliance Ladies' Circle in Ontario. Since the purchase of
the Polish Home a Youth Circle was also formed. The Club provided a
place
for them to meet socially. All members of the organization, young and
old
were engaged in social and cultural activities.
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| It was
this Youth Circle
of Branch No.10 which was responsible for the publication of a
monthly
magazine, "Jak Tam Idzie," (How Goes It There?). It began in 1954 as a
local project, but its popularity grew so rapidly that, before long,
copies
were being distributed throughout Ontario and Quebec. Some even reached
far away countries.
Of
approximately twenty pages,
its contents covered club activities, news and articles of interest by
many qualified people. It proved to be so successful that in 1959 its
publication
was taken over by the Central Executive of the Polish Canadian Alliance
Youth and is now a permanent part of that organization.
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| As with
all the youth groups
of Polish organizations in Brantford, the Polish Canadian Alliance
Youth
Club sought opportunities to develop leadership qualities in its
members
and to become an asset to the community as a whole. An example of their
own valuable contribution in this regard was a Polish radio program
they
originated. It was carried for two years on Brantford's radio station,
CKPC. The entire program was written and directed by the young members
of the local Polish Canadian Youth Club. One can surmise from this what
an important segment of the Polish community are its young people. |
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| Mindful of
the future of
this young generation, Branch No. 10 of the Polish Alliance has set up
scholarship and a bursary for the children of its members attending
universities.
And it was for the sake of these young people that the Alliance
sponsored
a Polish School, providing music and dancing lessons. Through the years
two orchestras have been formed. In addition, the Polish Library
started by the former White Eagle Association functioned well with the
value of books and facilities of $1,500.
The
Alliance also extended
a helping hand to the new immigrant. That was one of the reasons why,
at
the beginning of 1958, a Credit Union was organized, with Mr. Stanislaw
Bednarz as its first president. The Credit-Union was bi-lingual and had
300 members. Net profit had grown in nine years from $998.17 to
$16,733.93
yearly. Since the start of that venture, 350 loans have been granted
for
an amount well over $600,000.
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| Members of
Branch No. 10
of the Polish Alliance belonged to the Shrine Club of Brantford and
numerous
other organizations. They joined with the rest of Brantford in
contributing
towards worthy causes. From 1939 to 1966 a total of $18,000 was donated
to various charitable organizations, including the Brantford Shriners,
Red Cross, both local hospitals, Community Chest, and many others.
In 1966 the
Polish Alliance
also took part in the celebration of 1,000 years of Christianity in
Poland
and contributed greatly towards the Canadian Polish Millennium Fund set
up for educational and cultural purposes of Polish Canadians.
"Brotherhood,
tolerance and
education" were the basic aims of Branch No. 10 of the Polish Alliance,
and judging by their deeds, they didn't been empty words.
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NEXT
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Brantford's
Polish Senior
Citizens 1967 Centennial Year
Front Row: Mrs.
S. Wolski,
88; Mrs. A. Smierciak, 90; Mrs. A Drozdz, 77.
Second Row: Mr.
Peter Wiacek,
77; Mr. Stanley Neziol, 93; Mr. Joseph Wiacek, 82. |
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POLISH
DANCE "KRAKOWIAK"
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| CLICK
HERE to
view
list with names of all Past Presidents since establishment of the
Brantford
Polish Mutual Benefit and Friendly Society, from 1927 until now. |
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Get
on a team NOW!
Become part of
dart or pool leagues,
organize your own game or league, rent game room for social, family or
corporate games or just come out and have a good time. |
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