“Ukraine must know that it is not alone”
“I am very pleased. We raised more than 86 thousand euros. This shows the goodwill of our golf players and their sympathy for Ukraine. We must help Ukraine. Ukraine must know that it is not alone. And by fighting for Ukraine, we fight for ourselves. This aid is the best expression of that,” said signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania Česlav Okinčic.
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Ukrainian Ambassador to Lithuania Olha Nikitchenko, after the 10th charity tournament “Czeslaw Okinczyc Golf Cup,” said that this is a great initiative, organized for the fourth year.
“We are extremely grateful to Česlav Okinčic for all the support and everything he does. Just a few weeks ago, he visited Ukraine to mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of independence. He was there, met with the First Lady of Ukraine and representatives of her foundation. This is an exceptional project.
The funds raised will be allocated to schools created in hospitals for children who need to stay in medical institutions for a long time due to illnesses. The aim is to provide them with at least a piece of normal life and the opportunity to continue their studies despite being in the hospital. The funds raised during this year’s support campaign will be dedicated to this purpose. For us, this is a very important gesture of solidarity, an important sign of friendship, and another proof of the extraordinarily strong bond that connects us, Ukrainians, with you. This bond is very important to us and deeply engraved in our hearts,” emphasized Ambassador Olha Nikitchenko.
“We can only admire your energy”
Director of the European Center Golf Club Irma Vyšniauskė highlighted Česlav Okinčic’s contribution to organizing the tournament. “We can only admire your energy and how carefully you have thought through every detail. I believe we will see the twentieth and thirtieth Česlav Okinčic golf tournaments,” she said.
The tournament participants emphasized that helping Ukraine today is not only a gesture of solidarity but also a concrete expression of responsibility and friendship. According to them, Ukraine cannot be left alone, and support for it is especially important in the face of the ongoing war.
Exclusive experiences and symbolic gifts at the auction
An important part of the tournament was also the charity auction, hosted by Edmundas Jakilaitis. During it, it was possible to purchase various exclusive experiences, meetings, works of art, and items with special symbolic value.
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Among this year’s auction offerings were meetings with world-renowned politicians and artists. For the tournament participants, this was not only an opportunity to meet interesting personalities personally but also an exceptional memory. The auction also featured a competition for a painting by the well-known Lithuanian artist Ray Bartkus, who lives in New York.
One of the most symbolic auction items was a book signed by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska. Its presence at the auction once again emphasized the main goal of this year’s event – solidarity with Ukraine and assistance to children affected by the war.
The anniversary tournament was complemented by a musical program
The tenth “Czeslaw Okinczyc Golf Cup” tournament was not limited to sports and charity programs. A musical program was also prepared for the event participants.
The atmosphere of the anniversary evening was enhanced by the band “Kandis” and vocalist Algirdas Kaušpėdas, who performed for the tournament participants.
The decade-long tradition of the “Czeslaw Okinczyc Golf Cup” once again showed that sports can become not only a tool for community and good emotions but also for concrete help. The support raised during this year’s tournament will be allocated to Ukrainian children who especially need conditions to continue their studies and maintain as normal a life as possible due to the war and health problems.
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