As many schools and churches celebrated their patron saint – St. Sava, the founder of Serbian schools and education, our organization granted university scholarships to five students with exemplary academic accomplishments. Students received $640 each to help them with costs associated with school. 28. Jun has awarded hundreds of scholarships to primary and secondary students and we are thrilled to include university students this year!
In 2021, every single month of the year set the record for donations! As we entered our 10th year, you have shown us that we have earned your trust. Now we want to show you how your trust in our work, and your generosity, helped those most in need.
During the Holidays, we distributed thousands of gifts to children in 10 locations throughout Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro. We helped 10 of the most desperate families in the region with shelter, food, electricity, medicine and provided means to earn a sustainable living. We donated to 10 causes which focus on feeding the hungry, educating and caring for children, fighting diseases and improving healthcare and strengthening and promoting our cultural heritage abroad. And lastly, we launched the first of 10 special projects, an initiative to encourage compassion for animals while reminding people to recycle.
In 2021, we distributed over $1 million worth of humanitarian aid. We assisted hundreds of needy families in the Western Balkans through our ongoing ‘Help Serbian Families’ project. We delivered 5 tons of disaster relief aid to Glina, after the earthquake, and to Pirot, after the floods. We donated equipment for children with cerebral palsy in Banja Luka. We continued to support Serbs in Krajina, highlighted by a trip to Belgrade and awarding of scholarships to Krajina children in partnership with Patriarch Porfirije. And finally, after a two-year hiatus we returned to the United Nations to fight for the interests of our people.
With a blazing finish to 2021, after 10 years, we have donated $9.7 million worth of humanitarian, medical and disaster relief to the Western Balkan region. Thank you kindly from all of us at your 28. Jun family, together, we have done it again!
Christmas gifts to children in 10 locations
1. Drvar
2. Vršac
3. Vučitrn
4. Kistanje (and surrounding area)
5. Bosansko Grahovo
6. Plandište (and surrounding area)
7. Benkovac (and surrounding area)
8. Doboj
9. Obilić
10. Valjevo
10 families we helped over the Holidays
1. Milan V. and family, Gornji Krnjin
2. Sanja M. and family, Leposavic
3. Bojan J. and family, Niš
4. Pavle V. and family, Novi Becej
5. Golub S. and family, Despotovac
6. Marko S. and family, Aleksandrovac
7. Dragana P. and family, Smrdelje
8. Mladen P. and family, Beograd
9. Ivana T. and family, Izbište
10. Milijana T. and family, Kladovo
$10,000 to causes we care about
1. Naša Kuća – Đevrske $2,000
2. Malagurski Cinema $2,000
3. Bayerisch-Serbisches Akademisches Forum $1,500
4. Plavi Krug Diabetes (In Memory of Sofia Bukvički) $1,000
5. Adelaide Crows Foundation (In Memory of Terry Norris) $1,000
6. Zajednički Frižider $500
7. Charity for Balkan Children $500
8. Novak Djokovic Foundation $500
9. Solidarna Kuhinja $500
10. Serbian Philanthropic Association $500
We donated another vending machine that feeds stray dogs and encourages recycling to the city of Banja Luka. Mayor Drasko Stanivukovic humbled us with his hospitality, and was kind enough to open the first machine of its kind in Bosnia & Hercegovina, with us.
The “Smart Recycling Boxes” are essentially vending machines that dispense dog food and water in exchange for recycled plastic bottles. The bottles are placed into slots at the top of the machine, while food and water is dispensed out of the bottom, making it accessible to stray dogs.
The machines are approximately the size of an ATM and utilize natural energy with the aid of solar panels installed on its top. The machines also contain technology that can provide analytics on usage, as well as monitor levels of food, water and waste.
The vending machines aim to give strays a better life and reduce their hardship on the streets, while also encouraging its users to adopt a healthy recycling habit. The machines operate at no charge to the city, and the recycled bottles cover the cost of the food.
The initiative was the first of its kind in the country and organized by Zajednički Frižider with support from WWF Adria. It is located at Dorćol Platz in Belgrade and we hope it helps spread compassion for the needy during these hard times.
Srpski: https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/496843/Postavljen-prvi-Zajednicki-frizider-u-centru-Beograda
There are a lot of people in Serbia with nothing to eat. This was highlighted recently when famed actress Vesna Pećanac was spotted at a community kitchen in Belgrade. The country is experiencing gross inequality and people who have fallen on hard times should not be ashamed. The only ones who should be ashamed are those who are hoarding resources and doing nothing to help others during this time of need.
28. Jun will continue to feed the hungry this winter. Please support us.
