Single largest donation to Ukrainian organization

 

Ian Ihnatowycz learned the importance of giving back to the community from his late father, Theodosi.

Philanthropists Ihnatowycz and his wife, optometrist Dr. Marta Witer, put that inspiration into practice yet again Saturday when they donated $1.5 million to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre. It is the largest single donation gifted to a Ukrainian Canadian organization, centre officials say.

"How we treat our seniors, especially seniors in need, reflects who we are as a society," Ihnatowycz said. "We need to treat them with dignity and respect, especially those in need, and provide them with support to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs."

Ihnatowycz is founder of Acuity Investment Management Inc. Witer has worked in private practice as a doctor of optometry for 25 years.

Ihnatowycz's grandparents were once residents of UCCC. However, when his father, who taught his son social responsibility by way of example, needed long-term care, UCCC was not yet built.

The Etobicoke couple's large gift brings the centre's $15-million Home with a Heart campaign to $5 million, and facilitates the start of construction on its expansion.

In the campaign's first phase, $8 million will be dedicated to providing leading-edge care to seniors with behavioral management care needs due to cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's. Funding will also expand and upgrade the facility with a new elevator and on-floor dining rooms.

Built in 1996, the 120-bed centre will soon add 32 beds on its fourth floor.

To recognize the couple's gift, the centre's welcome pavilion will be named after Ihnatowycz's parents, Theodosi and Luba Ihnatowycz.

"The Ukrainian community was there to support our original building, and now they're there to support our fourth floor and expansion," executive director Sandy Lomaszewycz said, noting it is one of only two Ukrainian long-term care homes in Toronto. UCCC attracts residents from as far as Niagara and Windsor.

The centre's culturally specific approach to long-term care means residents are immediately in familiar territory, reflected in the language spoken, food served, music played and religious services observed. The centre's chapel observes both Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox services.

Ihnatowycz and Witer have a history of philanthropic giving.

In 2005, the couple donated $5 million to their alma mater, The Royal Conservatory of Music, to advance the construction of its new home, preserve its heritage building and fund a special piano scholars program.

Etobicoke Guardian

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