CHICAGO, Home Care Powered by AUAF hosted its Third Annual Kolędowanie z Home Care Powered by AUAF, welcoming seniors, community leaders, families, and volunteers for an evening dedicated to Polish Christmas traditions, music, and togetherness. Held at the O’Hare Tech Center in Schiller Park, the event highlighted the agency’s long-standing relationship with the Polish community and its continued commitment to supporting older adults through cultural connection.
The celebration was organized and led by Karolina Kuźma, Polish Public Relations representative for Home Care Powered by AUAF, whose leadership and community involvement have helped establish Kolędowanie as a meaningful and recurring event for Polish seniors in the Chicago area.
A Tradition Rooted in Care and Community
For Home Care Powered by AUAF, working closely with the Polish community is not new. The agency has served Polish seniors and families for many years and continues to support a large number of Polish-speaking clients and caregivers. This close relationship has shaped AUAF’s understanding of how deeply culture, language, and tradition matter, especially for older adults.
Kolędowanie, the tradition of singing Polish Christmas carols, represents more than seasonal music. For many seniors, kolędy bring back memories of family homes, Wigilia dinners, Midnight Mass, and holidays with loved ones.
During the evening, familiar melodies filled the venue. They created a sense of comfort and belonging for attendees.
Preserving Polish Christmas Traditions Across Generations
The event served as a space where Polish traditions could be shared across generations. Seniors were joined not only by community leaders and caregivers, but also by children and students from Polish schools. This multigenerational presence reinforced the importance of passing cultural values forward while ensuring that seniors remain active participants in community life.
For older adults living far from their home country, events like Kolędowanie are important. They help preserve identity and support emotional well-being. The evening allowed seniors to reconnect with familiar customs while also welcoming younger participants into those traditions. As a result, the celebration felt both rooted in history and alive with present-day connection.
Community Support and Event Sponsorship
The Third Annual Kolędowanie was made possible through the generous support of community sponsors. Home Care Powered by AUAF extended special thanks to Magnolia Law LLC, Otte and Czajkowska Estate Planning & Elderly Law, Grażyna and Krzysztof Bieleccy, and Andy Gal for their continued support of community-focused initiatives.
The agency also expressed gratitude to O’Hare Tech Center Schiller Park for hosting the event in its spacious and welcoming venue. The location provided an ideal setting for musical performances, social interaction, and accessibility for senior attendees.
Distinguished Guests and Community Representation
The event welcomed a number of distinguished guests whose presence underscored the importance of the celebration within the Polish-American community. Among those in attendance was Consul Renata Lalik-Galan, whose participation reflected ongoing support for Polish cultural initiatives in the region.
Also present were Dr. Lucja Mirowska-Kopeć and Mr. Jan Kopeć from the Alliance of Polish Clubs, an organization dedicated to uniting Polish associations and preserving cultural heritage. Additional honored guests included Ms. Ewa Rumiński, Polish Constitution Day Queen Olivia Kowalczyk, Second Lady of the Court Patrycja Niżnik, Ms. Małgorzata Webb, and Ms. Izabela Czajkowska.
Representatives from senior clubs, Polish schools, parishes, and Polish-American organizations also attended, highlighting the collaborative nature of the event and the shared commitment to supporting seniors through cultural engagement.
Media Partners Extending the Reach
Local Polish-language media played an important role in sharing the event with the broader community. Radio DEON Chicago, WPNA FM, and Polskie Radio Chicago 1490 AM partnered with Home Care Powered by AUAF to promote and cover the celebration, ensuring that seniors and families across the region could learn about the event and its purpose.
Media involvement helped reinforce Kolędowanie as an inclusive community gathering and contributed to its growing recognition as a staple of Polish holiday initiatives in Chicago.
Guiding the Evening
The program was led by emcees Emilia Byrg and Gabriela Ner, who guided the evening with clarity, warmth, and professionalism. Their leadership helped maintain a welcoming atmosphere while ensuring the program flowed smoothly from performances to acknowledgments.
Youth Participation and Educational Partnerships
A key highlight of the evening was the involvement of young volunteers from Polska Szkoła im. Jana Kochanowskiego w Norridge, IL. Participants included students from Studio of Performing Arts JUMP, Polska Szkoła im. Jana Kochanowskiego w Norridge, IL under Principal Dorota Pietrzak, Polska Szkoła Emilii Plater with teacher Wioletta Pietrzak, and Szkoła Polska im. 7 Eskadry Kościuszkowskiej przy Konsulacie w Chicago, led by Principal Anna Awakowicz.
Students from these schools created handmade Christmas cards for seniors, adding a personal and heartwarming element to the celebration. Their involvement emphasized the importance of intergenerational exchange and reinforced the role of young people in carrying cultural traditions forward.
Ongoing Support for Polish Educational and Cultural Institutions
Beyond this single event, Home Care Powered by AUAF continues to support Polish educational and cultural organizations through sponsorships and donations. The agency proudly provides support to Studio of Performing Arts JUMP, led by Ewa Barnak, Wacław Barnak, Agnieszka Barnak, and Sabina Barnak, recognizing the organization’s role in promoting artistic expression and multigenerational cultural engagement.
Donations were also extended to Polska Szkoła im. Jana Kochanowskiego, Polska Szkoła im. 7 Eskadry Kościuszkowskiej przy Konsulacie Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej w Chicago, and Polska Szkoła Emilii Plater. Through these contributions, Home Care Powered by AUAF reinforces its commitment to supporting Polish language, history, and traditions while strengthening connections between seniors, families, and younger generations within the community.
Musical Performances That United the Room
Music remained at the heart of the celebration. Performances by Mirosława Sojka-Topór, Bożena Chorabik-Hutnicka, Jacek Adamski, and Sławomir Bielawiec filled the venue with traditional Polish carols and festive warmth. Each performance contributed to the shared experience of reflection, joy, and connection.
A special surprise performance by Edmond Ebrahimi, a board member of AUAF, added a memorable and unexpected moment to the evening, drawing enthusiastic applause from attendees.
Recognizing Karolina Kuźma’s Leadership
Since 2023, Karolina Kuźma has served as the initiator and organizer of the Christmas Carol Concert for Polish Seniors, helping establish it as a permanent fixture in the Polish community’s holiday calendar. For more than five years, she has worked with Home Care Powered by AUAF, promoting support programs and strengthening relationships with Polish clubs, schools, foundations, and community organizations.
Through her outreach efforts, charitable involvement, and advocacy, Kuźma has played a key role in ensuring that seniors remain informed, supported, and connected. Her leadership has helped bridge cultural and language gaps while expanding AUAF’s involvement in Polish community initiatives.
About Home Care Powered by AUAF
Home Care Powered by AUAF is a non-medical agency in Illinois. We help seniors and families in the Chicago area. We provide personalized in-home support, including assistance with daily activities, companionship, respite care, and guidance for those caring for loved ones. With deep roots in the Polish community and a strong commitment to cultural understanding, our mission is to help older adults live safely, independently, and with dignity at home.
A Continued Commitment to Senior Well-Being
Home Care Powered by AUAF views events like Kolędowanie as an extension of its mission to support seniors holistically. While daily care addresses physical needs, social connection and cultural recognition remain equally important to overall well-being, especially during the winter and holiday season.
The Third Annual Kolędowanie demonstrated how collaboration between caregivers, community leaders, educators, artists, and volunteers can strengthen bonds and create meaningful experiences for older adults.
From all of us at Home Care Powered by AUAF, sincere thanks were extended to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and supported the event.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and A Happy New Year!
