PILC founder showered with love and respect at 70th birthday party
One of the founding members of the Pattaya International Ladies Club celebrated her 70th birthday March 8, another milestone in a life of charitable achievements.
Arlette “Araya” Cykman, royally recognized for her charity efforts with the PILC and an early proponent of the North Star Library, toasted the occasion with friends at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. The celebration, sponsored by Chitra Chandrasiri, Rosanne Diamente and Judy Hoppe, marked not only her 70 years, but the loss of 16.5 kg. in the past half-year, an effort she used to raise another 240,000 baht for charity.
Best part of weight loss program – A Birthday Cake!
Born in Shanghai to a Russian aristocratic mother and Armenian-Italian father, she arrived in Thailand in 1949 and her family quickly became a significant contributor to business in the Kingdom.
From their introduction of the very first ice cream parlor, “Dairy Bell” to dealing in bronze and Nielloware, they added Thai silk to their products and built a weaving factory in Surin.
After schooling in the United States, Arlette returned to Thailand to help her mother co-ordinate and design accessories for their silk garment shop, the Star of Siam.
Arlette came to Pattaya in 1995 and became one of the founding members of PILC and marked the start of her life’s work improving the lives of the less-fortunate.
As one of the organizers of the first PILC Bazaars, she started a raffle and gained sponsored. What began as a market of 30 booths grew to a bazaar of more than 80 stalls. Together with the annual charity ball, which she initiated, the bazaar continues to earn a considerable sum of money for charities in and around Pattaya.
Arlette continued to donate her time, adding the Rotary Club to her list of activities. In 2002, she received a plaque from the mayor of Pattaya for her contributions.
One of those still stands on Sukhumvit Road: The North Star Library. The facility was built through Arlette’s efforts on behalf of orphans from the Father Ray Foundation to learn and a spot for all of Pattaya to use.
Among her many talents, she is a fine embroiderer and recently took up painting on t-shirts. Of course, proceeds from their sale go toward charity.
With the passing of her last remaining relative, Arlette retreated from the public eye to continue her charity work from home. But being homebound, she gradually gained weight, which limited her mobility. So she accepted a challenge to lose kilograms for charity.
With each kilogram she dropped, she received donations from her friends for the library, PILC welfare projects and Women With a Mission. She actually exceeded her 15 kg. goal.
Arlette has now pledged to herself and to her friends that even though the challenge has formally ended, she will continue to lose weight on her own.
Happy Birthday Arlette.
Arlette hugs dear friends Lela and Rita.
Arlette chats with Sue of PMTV.
Starry eyed Arlette with Dinie and Ivy.
Khun Panga presents Arlette with a bouquet of red roses.
Kathy Heineke and the birthday girl.
Make a wish, make a wish!.
Arlette with faithful friends Panga, Rosanne and Judy.
Judy Hoppe expresses her love and admiration for Arlette.
A toast to the birthday girl.
A sumptuous birthday lunch by the Royal Cliff.
Arlette thanking her friends for their support.
Group photo is a must.
