But the local branch of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America hopes that by raising awareness about this atrocity, history will never be repeated.

Willow Glen resident and league member Helen Brady lived in San Jose for several years before she found out there was a local group uniting Ukrainian women. Now that she is involved, she is passionate about their mission as a charitable facilitator for indigent Ukrainian people.

She was instrumental in securing the location for the group's principal fundraiser that was held last week at her church, St. Francis Episcopal Church in Willow Glen.

Other than serving as the group's main cash cow, the annual holiday event also brought recent immigrants and descendants of the Eastern European country to mix socially.

It raised about $1,500 that will be used for two scholarships for young Ukrainian women. The money will also be used to provide a free breakfast for Ukrainian elementary school children before daily classes begin. The group also sends care packages to orphans, with candy, toys and other presents.

The three-hour affair had both young and old crooning traditional carols, reading poems and feasting on an eight-course holiday meal.

The event also provided a place for the local youth to perform what they've learned through their instruction of the language and customs of the Ukraine. At their parents' urging, many of the children attend a local church in Santa Clara on Saturdays to receive schooling in their heritage.

At the annual fundraiser, Emma Sydir, 7, read a poem in Ukrainian about decorating a Christmas tree, while her 5-year-old sister, Maya, recited a poem about families coming together during the holiday season. Ten-year-old Victoria Banasevych played a Ukrainian Christmas song on the piano.

Like the Sydir sisters, Brady was raised in a family proud of their heritage. Her parents migrated from the Ukraine to Canada in the mid-1920s, years before Helen was born. Despite the move, Ukrainian customs were always deeply ingrained in her daily life. Her family was the only Ukrainian family in their mainly French-speaking community in Alberta.

Today, Brady, 67, says there are several pockets of Ukrainian people living throughout the United States in areas of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

"I get so excited now when I get together with the women's league," Brady says about the monthly outings. "We only speak Ukrainian at the meetings. It's nice to keep up with all the women."

Like Brady, practically every adult who was at the event had memories of immigrating to North America or stories of their parents' survival against the communist regime imposed in the Ukraine by the former Soviet Union.

But on this night, it was a call for celebration as nearly 80 people congregated in Willow Glen, from Sacramento to San Francisco, to support the women's league, the oldest Northern California organization in existence, besides churches.

"It can get pretty loud and boisterous during the event," Brady says. "But the money raised will help out a lot of needy people."

For more information about the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, contact Helen Brady at 408.265.6438.