The tradition of raising funds for the causes continues tonight. This year’s proceeds will benefit the Academic Fund of the Polish-American Medical Society and the “Wici” Polish Dance Ensemble. The Academic Fund of the Polish-American Medical Society is a newly established program intended to benefit medical students of Polish descent in one of the Chicago’s metropolitan area medical schools.

I would like to sincerely thank the following people for volunteering their valuable time to make this evening special: Dr. Agnieszka Chruszczyk, Ms Danuta Fischer, Mrs. Joanna Janowska-Mazurek, Mrs. Mira Kwiecinski, Ms Ewa Malinowsky, Mrs. Grazyna Szpindor, Mrs. Ewa Turowski. The one special person who deserves my thanks the most – the person who is responsible for orchestrating this evening’s event and who has chaired the Ball for ten consecutive years – is my wife Magda Gawrysz. Were it not for the dedication of the Ball Organization Committee, this spectacular evening would not have been possible. Furthermore I would like to thank the Board of the Polish-American Medical Society for their support and enthusiasm; because of them, the impossible came true.
We all must acknowledge and thank all the Individuals, Corporations, and Foundations for their support. Their contributions, advertisements, and sponsorships are greatly appreciated. All of us must remember those who support us.

In closing, I would like to thank you for coming and wish each and every one a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2001. And tonight, may this again be a fun and memorable evening.

MarekGawrysz, MD
President