Lithuanian group aids homeland with supplies

By MAUREEN MCGUINNESS- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

As Lithuanians struggle to rebuild their nation after generations of Communist rule, local Catholics are helping to make their lives easier.

The Hudson-Mohawk and Amsterdam Councils of the Knights of Lithuania have collected medical and personal supplies to ship to their homeland.

"You don't overcome 50 years of Communism overnight," said Bernice Aviza, national vice president of the Knights of Lithuania and a member of the Hudson Mohawk Council. "It will take four or five generations to evolve out of it. They are struggling economically, but it's common for countries to go through this."

Needed supplies

The local councils have been collecting medical supplies to send to Lithuania ever since the country attained its independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. These local efforts helped the national council to ship more than $55 million worth of donated medicine, equipment and supplies since 1992.

In addition, the local Knights arranged to send a nurse to Lithuania to train medical professionals on the care of cardiac patients.

"We had a request from a doctor that a technician from here be sent to teach them how to care for heart surgery patients," she said. "We paid for a nurse to go."

Knights' work

Sending medical equipment and personnel to their homeland is one way the Knights have evolved since their founding in 1913. Originally, the group was begun as a youth organization designed to unite Lithuanian youth living in the United States. Through the youth, it was hoped Lithuanian culture would be preserved, and freedom from Germany and Russia would be gained, according to information from the National Council of the Knights.

Now the Knights of Lithuania are a nationwide Catholic family organization made up of people of Lithuanian descent. The Knights aim to keep alive an appreciation of the Lithuanian language, customs and culture, while also stressing the importance of Roman Catholic beliefs.

In addition to providing medical supplies, the organization also provides financial assistance to the Lithuanian Pontifical College in Rome and to 70 men enrolled at St. Joseph's Provincial Seminary in Vilnius.

Basic needs

While Lithuanians are in need of this major support, Miss Aviza said simple things are needed as well, such as Catholic reading material.

"We've been given the names of needy families, and we send them 'care packages,'" she said.

Those packages include soap, needles and thread, non-perishable food items, toothpaste and toothbrushes, aspirin, coffee, and basic clothing. Sweatshirts and coats are especially important, given the high cost of fuel in Lithuania, Miss Aviza said.

Miss Aviza has been impressed with the enthusiasm she has encountered. "I'm amazed at how many people are willing to help -- and they're not even Lithuanian," she said.

In touch

Helen Hayner, a member of the Hudson-Mohawk Council for 10 years, has learned much through her involvement with the Knights.

"I joined to help and to learn more about Lithuania," Mrs. Hayner said. "Since joining, I've been there three times."

Recently, she joined with other Knights to pack medical supplies. She has the advantage of knowing exactly where the supplies are going. During one of her trips, she visited the hospital where the local group sends equipment.

"They don't have too much," she said, "but they are enthusiastic."

(For more information on the Knights of Lithuania or their efforts, contact the Hudson-Mohawk Council at 346-5830 or the Amsterdam Council at 842-7044.)

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