After having our financials, work in the field, measurable results and organizational structure, thoroughly vetted by CAF America, donations made to 28. Jun are now tax deductible in the US! CAF America conducts industry-leading due diligence reviews of humanitarian organizations to ensure that all donations are made to legitimate charitable programs, funds are used for their intended purpose and are in full compliance with all US laws as well as local government regulations.

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During our Christmas delivery to children in Kursumlija, our volunteers met little Novak and he left quite an impression on them. Novak has 5% vision left in both eyes and treatments from “specialists” have brought his single father to financial ruin. Novak shared with us that he loves soccer — he’s a big Red Star Belgrade fan — and that he wants to be a harmonica player when he grows up.

Since that day, we couldn’t get little Novak out of our minds and we began organizing a very special surprise for our little friend. Over the weekend Novak thought he was coming to Belgrade for series of eye tests, but when he saw our team, he remembered them and realized immediately that something else was in store. While he was in town, we wanted him to forget his daily struggles and make a few of his wishes come true!

Our team took Novak and his father to a Red Star Belgrade match and the following day they attended a closed training session where Novak was able to meet all of the players. Absorbing every single little detail around him with a huge smile, Novak kept repeating how thankful he was. But we had one more surprise left for our little friend; after the match, in their hotel, we gifted Novak a new harmonica!

We would like to thank each and every one of you for sharing, donating, supporting and a massive thank you to the Red Star Belgrade club and management, who went way and beyond to make Novak’s dream come true!

Please support us in making dreams come true for kids just like Novak: https://28jun.org/donate

Hvala!

Our sustainable development project in Croatia — ‘Krajina Zivi’ — which aims to provide economic stimulus to the Serbian community in Croatia, has surpassed $100,000 USD in investments over the past year! The focus has been to improve livability through everything from rebuilding houses to academic scholarships to purchasing tools, livestock and farming equipment.

We decided to further invest into the most vulnerable and vital members of this community, the children, which is why last November we launched our Children Poverty Eradication Program providing 25 children with monthly sponsorships. Sponsoring a child has proven to be the most effective long term solution in fighting poverty and creating hope for the future.

Detailed PDF reports are available for both the ‘Krajina Zivi’ & ‘Children Poverty Eradication Program’ initiatives. Our sustainability work for the Serbian minority in Croatia is critical for their continued survival. All donations marked ‘Krajina’ in the ‘Dedicate this Donation’ section on 28jun.org/#donate this month will by matched by an anonymous donor!

DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT IN PDF

Top Chef Canada’s Ivana Raca held a successful humanitarian fundraiser at the prestigious Ufficio restaurant in Toronto to benefit 28. Jun’s Holiday projects in the Western Balkans. A Food Network-mainstay, the young celebrity chef’s four course dinner/gala wowed guests who had an opportunity to bid on some very rare sports memorabilia.

Several game-worn items belonging to Novak Djokovic were up for grabs, including a Lacoste shirt from his record-setting 2019 Australia Open run. Staying with the tennis theme, a Yonex racket signed by 2008 French Open Winner Ana Ivanovic received a flurry of bids at the auction.

The $10,000 raised at the dinner benefited needy families as well as thousands of underprivileged children who received Christmas gifts throughout the Western Balkan region.

Dear Friends,

With your help, we delivered! Our volunteers in Montenegro and Krajina delivered Christmas gifts to 100s of Serbian children in Djevrske and Zabljak on Serbian Christmas Eve and will continue until Serbian New Years!

If you already donated, please rush a donation now: https://28jun.org/donate

The delivery phase of our annual Christmas gift drive for underprivileged Serbian children is officially underway! Our volunteers visited villages in the municipality of Bajina Bašta and handed out 275 gifts to fulfill every child’s wish! Meanwhile in the south, we visited the municipality of Kuršumlija, and brought presents to over 100 kids in the villages of Rudare, Prolom, Rača, Degrmen, Ivan Kula, Dobri Do, Merdare received presents.

28. Jun became the first humanitarian organization operating in the Western Balkans to be approved for Association with the United Nations Department of Global Communications this week. The association constitutes a commitment on the part of 28. Jun to disseminate information and raise public awareness about the purposes and activities of the United Nations and issues of global concern. Associated organizations are expected to focus a portion of their publications and information activities on the work of the United Nations and are encouraged to cooperate with the United Nations in their areas of work and expertise.

28. Jun will also receive an additional six grounds passes each year to enter the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Because 28. Jun is already in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations, it will bring the total amount of annual passes at the disposal of the organization to 27. The NGO plans to utilize the additional influence to intensify efforts by its advocacy wing — 28. Jun Global. Because 28. Jun operates in areas where populations face routine violations of fundamental human needs — advocacy strategies to alert, inform, and influence decision-makers via international bodies like the UN, are necessary.

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH SELECT SPEECHES AT THE UN BY 28. JUN MEMBERS

In addition to our ongoing monthly project to help Serbian families, in 2019 we aimed to provide four families (one every season), in particularily dire need, with a new home. With this week’s delivery, and with your help, we have succeeded in this ambitious goal. Starting with the most recent:

➤ We lobbied the Republika Srpska government to buy the Stojanovic family, from Doboj, a new home which we furnished.

➤ We built the Stefanovic family, from Medvedje, a new home from scratch.

➤ We lobbied the Serbian government, and helped build a home, for the Jovanovic siblings from Osecina.

➤ We bought the Majstorovic family from Zminjak, near Sabac, a new house.

➤ During this same period we also rennovated and furnished dozens of other homes.

As long as we have you to count on, these families have a fighting chance!

We Thank You in their name.