December 3, 2010 – Toronto, Canada – UMD (Canada) is proud to announce that it has received a generous charitable donation of $5,000 from the Rula Benevolent Society of Toronto. The venerable organization has been active in the Toronto community since the early 1950s, serving the patriotic Macedonians from the village of Rula, in the Lerin region of Aegean Macedonia, in present day Greece.
“The continuing strength of our community is expressed in the numerous patriotic village and regional organizations,” said UMD (Canada) Director Jim Daikos. “We sincerely thank the Ruleni for their generous gift, which will be used to fund UMD cultural and educational programs in Canada.”
“The Society’s Board members picked UMD because of its strong and inspiring Macedonian advocacy, and for its global outreach,” said Rula Benevolent Society member James Phillips. “Two of our members attended the June 2010 UMD Global Conference in Toronto and were very impressed. We were also inspired by the example set by the Bitove family, who are originally from the neighbouring village of Gabresh.”
UMD’s purpose is to give Macedonians a strong, consolidated voice aimed at: informing the public and government officials worldwide regarding issues affecting Macedonia and Macedonians; furthering the educational advancement of Macedonians; advancing the social and economic development of Macedonians; promoting Macedonian culture, history and language; and fostering charitable activities in Macedonia and in the Macedonian Diaspora.
UMD (Canada) is a registered Canadian charity. Charitable donations to UMD (Canada) are tax-deductible. For more information, please visit: www.umdiaspora.org, or call 1-800-863-9583.