Jerzy Owsiak. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell
During a press conference on Monday following Sunday's Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, Owsiak was asked by a journalist “how do you comment on the reports of certain portals that you have administered money dishonestly?”
In response, Owsiak climbed onto a table and pretended to look for a hidden jar.
“Where's the jar in which I'm hiding the money?
“Maybe here? Or maybe here? People, have you gone crazy?
“I live in an apartment block and I pay my taxes,” he said.
Although she did not specifically accuse him of hiding money, MP Krystyna Pawlowicz of opposition party Law and Justice (PiS) had called on Catholics not to give money to Owsiak's charity this year.
Pawlowicz claimed on the right wing Fronda web site that the charity “brutally attacks the Church,” and that Oswiak's long-standing music and art festival Przystanek Woodstock “indoctrinates the young with left-wing ideology.”
Asked to comment on Pawlowicz's statements yesterday, Owsiak brushed off the accusations.
“I don't know this woman,” he said.
“40 million people live in this country, and I'm not going to comment on the words of everyone.”
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOSP) had raised over 35 million zloty (8.5 million euro) by Monday, although full results will be declared in about six weeks time, when donations are closed.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview given with the TVN24 television channel, Owsiak commented on figures provided by the Ministry of Labour concerning last year's fund-raising event.
He stressed that “our effectiveness is excellent,” noting that the ministry had found that 92 percent of the money raised went to charity, and that the remaining 8 percent went on administrative costs.
Funds pour in from US
Meanwhile, collections in the US for WOSP have already reached 116,000 dollars.
“The money-counting is still going on, because funds keep coming in,” said Chicago WOSP spokesperson Anna Maria Szewczak.
Besides auctions, volunteers with money boxes took to the streets of Chicago, New York and New Jersey, cities with large Polish communities.
This year, WOSP's main goals were to raise money for equipment on emergency wards in Poland for children, as well as to continue last year's bid to improve geriatric care. (nh)
Source: PAP/IAR