Humanitarian Aid of the Serbian Eastern American Diocese to the Serbian People in Kosovo and Metohija

Church of Serbia – 2/8/2020

With the blessings of His Grace Irinej the Bishop of the Serbian Eastern American Diocese, the Department of Christian Education of the Serbian Eastern American Diocese SOC organized a humanitarian action to collect aid for the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija under the name “Let’s warm their hearts.” During this humanitarian action, about 2,000 tons of goods were collected, including over 5,000 different clothing items for children, youth and adults. These are 131 packages with an estimated total value of over $23,000. In addition, $13,400 were raised.

While a large number of packages and financial donations came from various parishes of the Serbian Eastern American Diocese, some donations also came from families who do not live on the territory of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America. Greek Orthodox families also participated in donating clothing items. A significant number of priests, people, students, young adults and children from all our parishes participated in this charitable action. All customs regulations were observed during packaging.The Greek Orthodox Church of Our Savior (GOCOOS) of the Greek Archdiocese in Rye (NY), kindly provided its premises for the temporary storage of items during the repackaging process. We sincerely thank Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Fr. Elias Villis and the administration of the Church of Christ the Savior for their love. In addition, the help of Mr. Rade Radin from Chicago (IL), should be emphasized, who at his own expense and with his own truck transported all collected goods from Akron (OH) to New York for shipping. Likewise, Mr. Zeljko Miljevic did the same with his truck from Orlando (FL), which saved the project significant funds.

Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the goods for humanitarian aid were kept at JFK airport in New York for about three months until travel and shipping restrictions were eased. Finally, the Diocese of Rashka-Prizren retained possession of the humanitarian aid on July 9, 2020. The goods will be distributed to our people at Kosovo and Metohija. The amount of $13,400 was sent to the account of the Diocese of Rashka-Prizren, and this contribution, with the blessings of Bishop Teodosije, will be used for a fund intended for the purchase of houses or land in Kosovo and Metohija. The Diocese of Rashka-Prizren encourages the stay or return of Serbian families by leasing the land for free while the purchased land and buildings remain in the permanent ownership of the Diocese of Rashka-Prizren.

Very Rev. Protodeacon Jovan Anicic, Director
The Department of Christian Education
The Serbian Eastern American Diocese SOC
New Rochelle, NY
Eastern American Diocese

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