News

Jurate Kazickas together with her brothers John, Joseph and his wife Lucy spent a week in Lithuania where among few events to commemorate the 100th jubilee of their beloved father Joseph Peter Kazickas, they also visited foundations grantees and opened their family residence door to show gratititude and make new connections. Here Jurate shares few highlights from her trip:

We Connect Lithuania participants, organizers, supporters and friends gathered last Monday at the Martynas Mazvydas National Library to give program an official start. Program matches high potential Lithuanian youth from all over the world with leading companies, charities, social enterprises, and innovative startups in Lithuania for unforgettable 6 weeks to discover the modern and innovative country.

Kaunas University of Technology welcomed guests: Dr. Joseph P. Kazickas' son John Algirdas Kazickas, KFF Vilnius office director Zenonas Bedalis and KFF Vilnius office program coordinator Agne Vertelkaite. During the meting J. A. Kazickas presented four KTU students with the scholarships.

On June 14th Kazickas family invited ASSIST program's current students to the Kazickas family residence for the annual farewell get together. It has become a tradition to meet and greet new students and catch up with the ones who already had a chance to spend a year at the American private boarding schools either recently or many years ago.

On June 15th exhibition "The Three Friends: Damusis, Kazickas, Ambrozaitis" opened at the National Martynas Mazvydas library, followed by a two day conference "Political Case for Freedom and Lithuanian Diaspora: Legacy, Present Concerns and Expectations".

On the evening of June 12th, to remember J. P. Kazickas, documentary by S. Berzinis "Vejelis is Lietuvos" (Breeze from Lithuania) was introduced during the A. Damusis Center Political Studies days at the National M. Mazvydas library.

The very first Girl Power program season was short but powerful! During an amazing end of season even last Saturday program's girls had so much fun participating in the orienteering competition. Later on 30 program girls watched an inspiring movie "Running High" by Jurate Kazickas. Sports store Sportpoint presented all girls with sneakers that they used to run 5K together at the unique Women's Run in Vilnius.

Last Saturday fun event at Vingis Park marked the end of fourth season for Basketball Power and the very first one for Girl Power programs. It was the biggest event so far and was certainly full of excitement. Many miles got covered during the orienteering competition, lots of shots were made on basketball courts, lots of new friends made and, most importantly, lots of smiles kept on following everyone all day!

Last Friday, June 15th, in Kaunas Laisves Aleja, memorial to honor Dutch diplomat Jan Zwartendijk was opened. This noble businessman and honorary Consul issued thousands of so called Life visas during the summer of 1940 and this way saved many lives.

Alexandra Kalvenas Kazickas, wife of Joseph Peter Kazickas, mother of five children, grandmother of 11, a woman of noble character and generous spirit, passed away on her 91^st birthday, June 17, 2011. Please gather for the Holly Mass and the Concert honoring her life and memory on Sunday, June 17th at 12 pm at the Church of St. Casimir in Vilnius.