Category: Editor’s Letter

Weekly editor’s letter

Don’t ask what the community can do for you…

We all know this quote, and we all understand that making a difference in the community means getting involved. Seattle has many Polish community organizations that have been supporting people for decades. Over the next few weeks, I’ll highlight some of them. A shared challenge for all these groups is the shortage of volunteers. If you want to connect with fellow community members, give back, learn new skills, or share your knowledge, now is the

Today is the day to GiveBIG

2026 GiveBIG is TODAY, May 5th, 2026,! Donors already gave $1.4 million across all GiveBIG fundraisers, and almost $5,000 for the Seattle Polish Foundation.

Make your donation now and make a difference later! This year, the Seattle Polish Foundation participates in GiveBIG, a global day of generosity that celebrates the vital work nonprofits do in our communities, to raise funds for the Seattle Polish Foundation’s Cultural Fund.

Your donations help us support cultural events like the last week Marcin Pączkowski Orchestra concert to celebrate the Polish Constitution Day. If you missed it, here is the short video from the concert.

Note that this year, SPF Board of Directors will match all contributions up to $5,000! This means every dollar you give goes twice as far in sponsoring talented artists and enriching the programming at Polish Festival at Seattle Center, Seattle Polish Film Festival and the Polish Cultural Center.

On top of that, WA Give will host two Power Hours sponsored by Beneficial State Bank from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Also, there will be a Donor Appreciation Prize where one random donor who gave between 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. will be randomly selected to give an additional $100 to the nonprofit of their choice! Read more here->

If you like this newsletter, we hope that you can help us cover ongoing costs — website hosting, domain registration, and essential maintenance. Even $1 will go long way to help us keep the site running and accessible to the whole community.

Get that GIVING feeling

GiveBIG 2026 wraps up on May 5, and this year the Seattle Polish Foundation is excited to invite you to support the Cultural Fund. Your donation not only helps preserve our traditions but also keeps them accessible to all. The fundraiser is already underway, with contributions coming in steadily. Check out the Seattle Polish Foundation page for more details. Thank you!

❤️ Support Our Volunteer‑Run Newsletter

Seattle Polish News is created entirely by volunteers, but we still have ongoing costs — website hosting, domain registration, and essential maintenance.
If you find our updates useful, a GiveBIG donation of even $1 helps us keep the site running and accessible to the whole community.

UPDATE: consular visit in Seattle 19-20 May

Passport Appointments Now Open

If you need to renew your passport or apply for a new one, now is the time to reserve your appointment. All details are listed below.

❤️ Support Our Volunteer‑Run Newsletter

Seattle Polish News is created entirely by volunteers, but we still have ongoing costs — website hosting, domain registration, and essential maintenance.

If you find our updates useful, a GiveBIG donation of even $1 helps us keep the site running and accessible to the whole community.

Easter

Seattle Polish News sends warm wishes for a wonderful Easter.

As in previous years, the 2026 GiveBIG fundraiser is happening this May. The Seattle Polish Foundation invites you to support its Cultural Fund. Your donation not only helps preserve our traditions but also keeps them accessible to all.

The Seattle Polish Film Festival is asking for donations to cover venue rental costs. Like last year, all screenings are free, making your support more important than ever.

At Seattle Polish News, we’re hoping our subscribers can help us cover the costs of running this service.

Roman Rogalski Honored by the Washington State Senate

On January 14, 2026 the Washington State Senate, in a state resolution 8662, honored and commended Roman Rogalski for his service and dedication to the Polish community in Seattle. Also on January 14, Steve Hobbs, the secretary of state, presented to Roman a certificate of appreciation in recognition and appreciation for his decades of outstanding service as a dedicated volunteer to the Polish Home Association, providing good counsel, mentorship and reliable service as Treasurer with

SPF Flood Relief

Dear Members of the Polish Community,

The Seattle Polish Foundation is here for you—in good times and especially in difficult ones. If you or someone you know has been affected by the recent floods or windstorms, please reach out to us. SPF is ready to offer support. 

If you have not been directly impacted but would like to help, we welcome your involvement. You can contact us to volunteer, or make a donation to SPF with a note specifying flood relief. Every contribution makes a difference. 

Together, we can ensure that no one faces these challenges alone. 

Thank You Seattle

This Giving Tuesday, over $3,500 was donated—an incredible achievement! Congratulations and thank you for your generosity. You can still support Polish community cultural events by visiting the Seattle Polish Foundation website or contributing directly to the Giving Tuesday fundraiser. The PHA elections will be held on January 25, 2026. Anyone interested in running for an Officer or Trustee position must submit their written candidacy by December 15, 2025

It’s Time to Give Thanks—and Celebrate!

This is the season to reflect on all the things we’re grateful for and to think about how we can help others. One of the best ways to make a difference is by participating in the Seattle Polish Foundation fundraisers. The next event, Giving Tuesday, takes place on December 2, and this year we’ll be raising funds for Polish cultural events in Seattle. If you remember Janusz Olejniczak’s concert years ago, you’ll agree that an event of such caliber is long overdue. With your support, it could happen again soon.

Elections, elections, elections

It’s been an exciting election season with contests in both Poland and Seattle. But it’s not over yet—the Polish Home Association election is coming up in December, making this the perfect time to renew your membership or join. Every vote matters, and your voice deserves to be heard.

Don’t miss the consular visit in Seattle 24-25 October

Each year, we hear from subscribers who just missed consular visits. To stay updated on these visits and other events in Seattle, subscribing to this newsletter is the best way. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and family! Historically, the term “witch hunt” has been loaded with fear, injustice, and cruelty. Nowadays, it’s everywhere, often used as a quick way to accuse, isolate, and punish. Too often, it’s thrown around without fairness, facts,

Summer is almost over (Lato, lato już po lecie)

I hope you had a fantastic summer! The weather was beautiful, and thankfully, the wildfire smoke wasn’t as intense as in previous years. If you missed the announcement from the Polish Home Association, there’s great news—Polish Home has officially reopened! On September 5th, PHA celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated upstairs ballroom. The space was completely transformed over the summer and is definitely worth a visit. Mark your calendars: the Seattle Polish Film

Summer Polish Attractions

Seattle is buzzing with activity this summer. Make the most of the beautiful weather and enjoy all the exciting Polish events! Seattle Polish Festival pulled it off once again—what an amazing event! The Seattle Polish Foundation and the festival organizers extend their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it happen.

Seattle summer starts this week

The Seattle Polish Festival is set for Saturday, July 12, 2025, from noon to 7 PM at the Seattle Center Armory and Mural Amphitheatre. This year’s theme is Polish Legends and Castles, and the event promises a vibrant mix of live music, traditional food, exhibits, and workshops. If you’re planning to go, you can check out the full schedule and details on the official festival website. It’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Polish

Poll results are in

Poll results are in, and I appreciate your participation. Your feedback is valued.

There were issues with the Mailchimp survey feature, leading to some confusion. Despite this, 120 responses were received for the first survey question and 68 for the poll.

94.2% of respondents indicated they want the editor’s letter to continue, while 5.8% answered No. Additionally, 91% of voters stated that they would recommend the newsletter to others.
Keep reading→

Should the news be neutral

My last op-ed caused quite a stir. After years of no comments, no emails, and no thank-yous, I received several emails complementing our new newsletter and a few criticizing my opinion. Some responses were quite vile and aggressive.

This calls for an explanation and a follow-up.

Keep reading→

Inmates are running the Asylum

The results of the first round of the presidential elections in Poland are in. I promised to remain neutral and avoid politics, but I cannot stay silent. When I see that 6% (12% in US, 17% in Canada) of Poles are voting for a fascist who openly calls for restoring the death penalty, promises to imprison women, reduce the congress and senate, increase presidential power, and restore a sovereign Poland (think North Korea) all in the name of God, I had to say something. Additionally, 51% voted for the extreme right that wants Poland to exit the EU.

Keep reading→