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5/1/2015 - The 10th Annual Hungarian Charity Ball raised funds for worthy causes... The American Hungarian Federation, the American Hungarian Heritage House and the Hungarian Scouts of Washington, DC jointly organized the 10th Annual American Hungarian Charity Ball. The night was full of socializing and dancing and

The American Hungarian Federation, the American Hungarian Heritage House and the Hungarian Scouts of Washington, DC on May 1, 2015 jointly organized the 10th Annual American Hungarian Spring Charity Ball. The event consisted of many performances including a fashion show by visiting fashion designer Tunde Hrivnak and her team. Another performance included Soprano singer Edit Szappanos and pianist Dóra Bizják.

Erika Fedor, the Ball Chairperson emphasized in her greeting that there were more new faces among the guests during the 10th annual event. The good reputation grew among the local Hungarians and we can proudly stand together for a great cause and culture.

Dr. Réka Szemerkényi, the Ambassador of Hungary to the United States was also among the fresh new faces at the event. In her speech she was asking Hungarians to work together and show their best cooperation in American Hungarian collaborations. Other special guests included representatives of Marymount, Dr. Sherri Lind Hughes the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs; Dr. Matthew Shank President of the University; and Dr. Joe Foster Vice President of the University. Other guests included the Honorable Joseph E. Schmitz, the Honorable Dr. Tamas Fellegi who is President/CEO of the Hungary Initiatives Foundation, Mr. Andras Teleki, president of the Freedom Fighters Federation, Mr. Maximillian Teleki, president of the Hungarian American Coalition, and others.

As tradition holds, this spectacular event had various performances. In the beginning of the event we remembered three exceptional Hungarians posthumously. These individuals were brave, loyal, dedicated and committed to their country and their Hungarian community. We celebrated Reverend Imre Bertalan, Colonel Koszorus Ferenc and Illona Gyurik.

The second part of the night’s program consisted of a beautiful Hungarian dance by Szilard Bank and Kata Seres. This was followed by the talented muscicians and soprano opera singer Edit Szappanos and pianist Dóra Bizják who were both visiting from Budapest. A third highlight of the event was the BYME Fashion Show by Hungarian designer Tünde Hrivnák and her model team. This fashion show combined Hungarian folk art and contemporary designs to create a new aesthetic. In addition, there was a Hungarian exhibit about the Hungaricums including the famous Heredni porcelain, Hungarian Palinkas, wine, books and the Ilcsi cosmetics.

The music was provided by the New York Continental Band and DJ Toto entertained guests. There was not a moment of silence at the event as guests were dancing, socializing and mingling. The whole Ball was a very successful and memorable event. The benefit of the Ball will be distributed among selected organizations and also the Wounded Warrior Project.

Photo Gallery from the Ball

Previous Hungarian Charity Balls:

• [2015 Hungarian Ball]
• [2014 Hungarian Ball]
• [2013 Hungarian Ball]
• [2012 Hungarian Ball]
• [2011 Hungarian Ball]
• [2010 Hungarian Ball]
• [2009 Hungarian Ball]
• [2008 Hungarian Ball]
• [2007 Hungarian Ball]
• [2006 Hungarian Ball]

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To volunteer, please contact Erika Fedor (202) 497–1166 or efedor55@gmail.com

Make a Donation!

Tiszteletbeli Védnökök / Honorary Committee

• Rev. Imre Bertalan
  Executive Director of Bethlen Communities
• The Honorable Tamás Fellegi
  President/CEO of the Hungary Initiative Foundation
• The Honorable Dr. János Horváth M.P.
  Hungarian Freedom Fighters Federation
• His Excellency Dr. Géza Jeszenszky
  Former Foreign Minister of Hungary
  and Ambassador to the United States
• The Honorable Marcy Kaptur
• Ferenc Kumin, Ph.D
  Consul General
• The Honorable Annette Lantos
  Chairman of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice
• Mr. Imre Lendvai-Lintner
  Hungarian Scouts in Exteris
  
• Rev. Judit Mayer
  Hungarian Reformed Church
• Dr. Matthew Shank
  President, Marymount University
  
• The Honorable Anikó Gaál Schott
• Her Excellency Dr. Réka Szemerkényi
  Ambassador of Hungary to the United States
• Maximilian Teleki
  President, Hungarian American Coalition

Over the past decade, it has raised tens of thousands of dollars for worthy causes both in the United States and throughout the Hungarian communities inthe Carpathian Basin.The proceeds from the 9th Annual event will be applied to help support Hungarian Culture and Students of Hungarian descent through scholarshipsand internships via the Hungarian-American Educational and CulturalFund (AMOKA); a fund to establish a Hungarian Cultural Center in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area; and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Previous Hungarian Balls Supported:

1. The Hungarian Reformed Church Nursery School in Bácskossuthfalva was founded in 2005, this is the ONLY such school recognized by Serbian authorities. Despite the recognition, Serbia has refused to extend any financial support. The school is under serious financial distress and your support is greatly needed and appreciated. See the VIDEO INTERVIEW ( magyarul). Vojvodina, an integral part of Hungary for over 1000 years, was awarded to the newly formed Yugoslavia by the French at the "Treaty" of Trianon in 1920 when Hungary lost 2/3 of her territory and 1/3 of her Hungarian population. Intimidation, large scale evictions and ethnic cleansing, emigration, and fear of self-reporting have official estimates of only 300-350,000 ethnic Hungarians remaining in the province. Some, however, estimate this number to be double that since many fear self-reporting as Hungarian exposes them to risk. [read more] about Vojvodina.

2. The Hungarian American Education and Cultural Preservation Fund (Amerikai Magyar Oktatási és Kultúrális Alap (AMOKA) to support a wide variety of programs from scholarships and internships that develop our future leaders to assisting local communities at home and abroad to preserve Hungarian schools and cultural institutions, language, history and traditions. In 2012, the Hungarian Scholarship Fund (HSF) / Magyar Ösztöndíjalap surpassed $400,000.00. Founded by AHF Board Member, Prof. Bela Bognar, the HSF supports students who are economically disadvantaged and live in Hungary and in the lands lost at the Treaty of Trianon which cost Hungary 2/3 of her territory, 1/3 of her ethnic-Hungarian population and vast natural resources. [read more and HELP!]

3. Tőketerebes (Trebišov)
In 2013, the ball contributed funds toward the purchase of diagnostic equipment to support the Lung Ward of Trebišov Hospital (Tőketerebes Állami Kórház Tüdőosztály) in Eastern Slovakia (in former Upper Hungary). The Lung Ward treats numerous patients who contracted lung cancer or other lung-related diseases, following the Chernobyl disaster. Tőketerebes (Trebišov in Slovak) was home to the Andrássy family's residence. Built in 1786 by Count Csáky I., it was inherited by the Andrassy family who remodeled it in the neo-rennaissance style. Count Gyula Andrassy, the Kingdom of Hungary's last foreign minister, was born and raised here. Although in 1910 there were 2323 Hungarians and 2181 Slovaks living here (out of a population of 4708), by 2001, the ethnic makeup had changed significantly and reflects the decline of Hungarian populations in Slovakia and elsewhere in the Carpathian Basin due to many factors including widespread anti-Hungarian practices. Out of a population of 22,000 it had become 87% Slovak, 8.9% Roma, and only 1.7% Hungarian.

4. The Claude Alexander Volunteer Program supporting Walter Reed Hospital was founded by Mike Healy in 2005 to help wounded U.S. Army soldiers being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. The program provides outpatients and their families with access to free off-post recreational events.

5. The Budapest-based Juvenile Cancer Foundation. There are approximately 300 children who are diagnosed with cancer in Hungary every year. The key objective of the Foundation is to build a reference 300-bed hospital and treatment center for children with cancer which would offer medical services ranging from diagnosis to sustainable treatment on the level of developed nations by highly qualified medical doctors, nurses and social workers to ensure the recovery of children.

6. The Hungarian Elementary School in Vaján, Slovakia. The school is located in a little ethnic Hungarian village of under 800 people, Vaján (or Vojany in Slovak after annexation following the Treaty of Trianon) in the Kassa District (Kosice) of Slovakia. [read more]

7. "Classrooms of the Future" - This program builds Educational Bridges between the US and Hungary and Promotes Science Education. Securing the support of Dr. Janos Horvath, Hungarian Member of Parliament, AHF worked with McIntosh Junior High School in Sarasota, Florida. The objective is to have students in Zalaber Elementary School in Hungary work directly on scientific programs with their US counterparts via laptop teleconferencing.

8. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Hungarian Heritage - Roots to Revival

2013 also supported a unique opportunity for our community, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The Festival's theme was "Hungarian Heritage - Roots to Revival" and featured a wide spectrum of activities from Hungarian folk crafts to dance and music from various Hungarian communities, including Transylvania. [read more]

About the Hungarian Scouts [more]

The Magyar Cserkészszövetség, the primary national Scouting organization of Hungary, was founded in 1912, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1990. The coeducational Magyar Cserkészszövetség has 7,198 members as of 2004.

Scouting in Hungary is maintained through Magyar Cserkészet Tanácsa, the Council of Hungarian Scouting. There are two associations in this national federation, Magyar Cserkészszövetség, the Hungarian Scout Association, and Magyar Cserkészcsapatok Szövetsége. Also serving Hungarian Scouts is Magyar Cserkészlány Szövetség, the Association of Hungarian Girl Guides.

Hungarian Scouting was founded in 1909 under Austria-Hungary, and the first Scout group in the dual monarchy, MCA-1912 HAS, was founded in Budapest in 1910. Scouting started in the separate nation of Hungary in 1919, at the end of World War I, when Austria and Hungary were divided. In 1920, the magazine Magyar Cserkész ("Hungarian Scout") was first published.

Hungary was a founding member of the World Scout Bureau in 1922 and later was a founding member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, WAGGGS, which was in fact established in Parád, Hungary, in 1928.

In 1924, at the World Scout Jamboree in Copenhagen, Hungarian Scouts attending their first jamboree came third in the competition of the nations, behind British and American Scouts. They were especially good at water sports.

The first Hungarian National Jamboree in 1926 had 10,000 participants. Hungary hosted the fourth World Jamboree in 1933 at the royal forest of Gödöllo, outside Budapest, in which 26,000 Scouts from 54 nations camped together. The camp chief was Teleki Pál, the member of the International Committee who later became Prime Minister of Hungary. This was the first time there was a Jamboree subcamp for Scouts taking part in aviation. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth World Jamboree, the Hungarian Scout Association hosted a fourth World Jamboree Memorial Camp at Bélapátfalva, Hungary in 1993.

After World War II, the Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség started operating in the displaced persons camps in Germany and Austria in 1948 as the Teleki Pál Scout Association, renamed in 1948 as the Hungarian Scout Association. Scouting was well organized and popular in Hungary until it was officially abolished by the Communist regime in 1948, but remained nascent underground...
[read more on Wikipedia]

100 ÉVES A NEMZETKÖZI CSERKÉSZMOZGALOM
- MIT JELENT EZ SZÁMUNKRA? – Száz évvel ezelott egy afrikai szolgálatból hazatéro angol katonatiszt elindította azt a nevelo mozgalmat, amely mára a világ legnagyobb ifjúsági szerveztévé fejlodött. Lord Baden Powell az ifjúság kalandvágyára és romantikus hajlamára alapozta jellemnevelo rendszerét, amellyel talpraesett, testben és lélekben egészséges, jellemes fiatalokat nevel. Az új mozgalom futótuzként terjedt szét a világon. Magyarország az elsok között volt, ahol nevelok és vezeto államférfiak – élvonalban olyan kimagasló személyekkel, mint gr.Teleki Pál és Sík Sándor – felismerték a cserkészet értékét. Felismerték, hogy egy cserkészszellemu fiatalság megalapozhat egy életképes, szilárd erkölcsi alapokon nyugvó, sikeres társadalmat. Ezáltal a meglátás által vezérelve, kidolgozták a magyar cserkészet rendszerét, kiegészítve a Baden Powell-i alapokat egy jellegzetesen magyar színezettel.

Sík Sándor fogalmazta meg legtömörebben, hogy a magyar cserkészet célja “emberebb emberek, magyarabb magyarok” nevelése. Hála a magyar vezetoség kiváló muködésének, a két világháború között a magyar cserkészet – a trianoni csonkítás ellenére – világviszonylatban kimagasló és elismert szervezetté vált. Teleki Pált beválasztották a világcserkészet legfelsobb vezetoségébe, a cserkész világtalálkozókon, versenyeken a magyar kontingens az elsok között végzett, és mindennek koronájaként Magyarországnak jutott az 1933-as nagysikeru gödöllöi jemboree megrendezése. Szinte látnoki ihlet által vezérelve, az akkori magyar vezetoség olyan foglalkozási és nevelési anyagot, u.n. “próbarendszert,” dolgozott ki, amely erkölcsi és gyakorlati tartalmán kívül kihangsúlyozta a magyar hagyományokat és kulturális értékeket. Ez, és a magyar cserkészet elsorangú vezetoképzo rendszere, tették lehetové, hogy amikor a kommunista rendszer betiltotta muködését, a magyar cserkészet zökkenomentesen folytatódhasson külföldön. Az ötvenes évek közepére már magyar cserkészcsapatok muködtek nemcsak Nyugat-Európában, hanem Észak- és Dél-Amerikában, valamint Ausztráliában is.

A Baden-Powell-i cserkészet és annak jellegzetesen magyar változata olyan szerencsés induló alapot nyújtott, amelynek segítségével a Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség immár 62 éve tesz eleget jellemnevelo és magyarságorzo küldetésének. De nyújtott olyan alapot is, amelynek segítségével a kommunista rendszer bukását követoen azonnal megalakultak a magyar cserkészszövetségek mind az anyaországban, mind a környezo országok magyarlakta területein.

Ma már a Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetségen kívül a Kárpát-medence minden országában muködnek magyar cserkészszövetségek, összesen hét szövetség, amelyek közös rendezvényekkel, programokkal és egymást támogatva munkálkodnak az összmagyar fiatalság nevelésén és nemzeti öntudatának megorzésén. És így, egy angol katonatiszt által száz éve elindított gondolat adta meg azt a keretet, amelyen belül a négy évtizedes kommunista uralom alatt külföldön ápolhattuk külföldi fiataljaink magyar nyelvtudását és nemzeti érzését, hogy aztán a szovjet birodalom bukása után, országhatárokat áthidalva, összekösse a Kárpát-medencében és a világ minden táján élo magyar ifjúságot. - Dömötör Gábor

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