On Sunday, July 23rd, we celebrated the Annual Picnic for the Honorary Consulate of Romania to Connecticut and its team - made 100% of volunteers - and a wonderful occasion to show appreciation for the volunteers who helped make the National Day of Romania in Connecticut a success and who support the Consulate’s mission year-round.  We welcomed allies and supporters from the Romanian, Ukrainian and Polish communities with whom we cooperate for the Consulate’s considerable efforts in support of Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees.
Honorary Consul Dana Bucin addressed the group about the various projects and partnerships at the Consulate that brought tangible results for promoting exchanges between Romania and Connecticut with pure volunteer effort, including:
➡️ National Day of Romania in Connecticut with help from sponsors such as A Villa Louisa (Asim Etem), Transilvania Restaurant and Bar, Alina's Cakes and Cookies, Capital Community College, community organizations such as Românul - SUA and a generous Romanian community
➡️ significant legislative changes to introduce Romanian and Ukrainian among the languages offered by CT DMV for taking the driving test; to create an “H-1B cap-exempt zones” committee with recommendations for retaining foreign professionals in CT; lowering apostille fees in CT
➡️ working on expanding distribution of Romanian wines Caii de la Letea, Romanian furniture and Romanian K-12 educational institution Mark Twain International School Bucharest to CT
➡️ welcoming His Excellency Andrei Muraru and his team at the Ambasada României în Statele Unite ale Americii / Romanian Embassy to US to Connecticut for a series of events surrounding the National Day of Romania and working closely for Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program
➡️ founding the Connecticut for Ukraine Refugee Matching Program and bringing 91 Ukrainian refugees to Connecticut with help from Romanian and Ukrainian volunteers
➡️ establishing fruitful partnerships with The Central European Institute at Quinnipiac University, ACES International, LADO (Liga Apararii Drepturilor Omului), Romas Rising United, Federation of Romanian-American Organizations - FORA, Bobalna, Biomentorhub, Afaceri.ro
The National Day of Romania in CT would not have been possible without the volunteers honored with Certificates of Appreciation at the picnic for whom we are thankful.  We continue to seek volunteers for the upcoming National Day of Romania - anyone with interest can sign up here: https://forms.gle/A28iwPLxgpoLkcFV6