Floods of epic proportions, the worst in over 100 years, have struck Slavonia in Croatia, parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other areas in the region. Entire towns are submerged under water that has risen over the banks of the Sava River. Rescue teams and volunteers are on the ground trying to help those most in need and evacuate those who are stranded. Croats around the world, among others, are coming together to help raise funds for victims in the area.
Donations to Caritas in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (via Hamilton Diocese)
While there are fundraising activities under way across the various Croatian-Canadian communities, we wanted to advise members of our community that the Hamilton Diocese has agreed that all amounts donated as part of the second collection at masses held at our Croatian parishes in Norval, Oakville, Hamilton and Kitchener on Sunday, June 1, 2014 will be contributed by the Hamilton Diocese to Caritas in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina for purposes of assisting flood victims in Slavonia (Croatia) and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As a result, any individual donations made by Canadian residents to any of the following parishes for the above noted purpose and received by any such parishes by June 2, 2014 will be eligible to be issued a donation tax receipt:
Norval – Croatian Franciscan Center of the Queen of Peace
9118 Winston Churchill Blvd.
Norval, Ontario, L0P 1K0
Tel: (905) 456-3203
Oakville – Holy Trinity Parish
2110 Trafalgar Rd.
Oakville, Ontario, L6H 7H2
Tel: (905) 842-2386
Hamilton – Parish of the Holy Cross
1883 King St. East
Hamilton, Ontario, L8K 1V9
Tel: (905) 549-6707
Kitchener – Holy Family Parish
180 Schweitzer Street
Kitchener, Ontario, N2K 2R5
Tel: (519) 743-7121
Please make your cheque payable to the name of one of the parishes above (indicating on the cheque “Slavonia / BH Flood Relief 2014”) and arrange for delivery of your cheque to the said parish as soon as possible and in any event by no later than June 2, 2014.
Other parishes in Canada may also be participating in this humanitarian drive – please reach out to your local Croatian parish for further details.
Other Donations
For those who prefer to contribute directly, you may do so by visiting either of the following websites:
Caritas in Croatia:
(http://www.caritas.hr/index.shtml)
Red Cross in Croatia:
(http://www.hck.hr/hr/brze-novosti/pomoc-podrucjima-pogodenima-poplavama-u-rh-60) .
Note, however, that direct contributions to Caritas (Croatia), Caritas (Bosnia and Herzegovina) or the Red Cross (Croatia) will not be eligible for Canadian tax credits.
Contributions can also be made directly to Red Cross in Canada (Balkan Floods 2014):
(http://www.redcross.ca/donate/donate-online/balkan-floods-2014).
Note, however, that funds contributed will be directed to flood victims “across the Balkans” – and not specifically to Slavonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING THE FLOOD VICTIMS – EVERY CONTRIBUTION WILL BE WELCOME.
Together we make success!
