Run in support of Serbia and Bosnia

Dear family, friends, colleagues and others:

The cause

As many of you know, I come from former Yugoslavia, located in the Balkan Peninsula. In the Balkan peninsula three months' worth of rain fell on the region in three days, producing the worst floods since rainfall measurements began 120 years ago. To us Calgarians, this is a flashback and reminder of 2013 floods. The same hardship and trauma we have experienced in Calgary 2013 floods, people in the Balkans are going through the same difficulties. The difference, however, is the amount of resources available. Not long ago, citizens of Serbia and Bosnia have been victims of a civil war where as Calgary is a prosperous city. Unfortunately, the people in the Balkan Peninsula do not have the resources and access to finances that Calgary did. Personally, I have family affected directly by the flood.

My goal is to raise funds for flood relief in Serbia and Bosnia. I will be running a half marathon on June 1st, 2014 for the cause. 

Status in Bosnia and Herzegovina

- More than a million people are currently without water;
- One quarter of Bosnia’s four million people have been affected by this catastrophe;
- More than two thousand landslides;
- Over 230 schools and medical institutions are unusable;
- 100,000 houses and apartment buildings are unusable;
- Many agricultural complexes are completely destroyed;
-Estimated 1 million land mines planted during Bosnia's 1992-95 war. Nearly 120,000 of the unexploded devices remain in more than 9,400 carefully marked minefields. Floods toppled warning signs and, in many cases, dislodged the mines themselves;
- Many people were left with nothing after the war. They lost everything, and had nothing left. Now people have nothing again but additional they have to continue paying bank loans they had taken out in the last twenty years to invest in their houses and small businesses.

Donations

Monies collected will be given to Calgary's Serbian Orthodox Church which will transfer money to Tzar Lazar Fond. The Fond was established in 1992 aimed at helping war-affected areas, refugees , and orphans of former Yugoslavia. The Fond is duly registered with the Canadian government and can issue donation tax receipts. The holdings are all volunteers and the director of the Fond elected Diocesan Assembly. That Fond operates through our Diocese and it is run by volunteers, 100 percent of funds will reach its final destination in Serbia and Bosnia. Tzar Lazar Fond was founded by the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade, which is under the direct control of the Synod. All funds raised in Serbian churches around the world will be sent to the Fond and distributed from there on. The money will be used for food aid, rebuilding homes, and other required humanitarian aid. The Fond will track information where contributions and donations were made.

Tax Receipts

I have support from Father Obrad Filipovic (head Priest of Calgary's Serbian Orthodox Church - St. Simeon Mirotocivi) and the Serbian Orthodox Church will be issuing tax receipts to all donors.

Any questions or concerns please contact me at [email redacted].

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Much thanks for visiting and donating, Milan.

#SupportSerbiaandBosnia