Pam Kelley and Melissa Obenauf

HEART OF CROATIA

www.croatiagifts.com
 

HEART OF CROATIA GIFTS
Pam Kelley and Melissa Obenauf (pictured above) are thrilled to welcome you to HEART OF CROATIA GIFTS, where you will find gifts of exceptional and long-lasting quality to help you celebrate the beauty and richness of our wonderful CROATIAN CULTURE...

HEART of CROATIA Gifts will be setting up shop in the following location on the following dates:
*YOUNGSTOWN, OH: April 30-May 1 St. George's Day
*PITTSBURGH, PA: May 27-28-29 Pittsburgh Folk Festival
*PITTSBURGH, PA: June 26 Lodge #1 Picnic
*CHICAGO, IL: July 1-2-3 CFU Jr. Tamburitzan Festival
*PITTSBURGH, PA: July 9 Tamburaland Festival
*YOUNGSTOWN, OH: September 4 Lodge Picnic
*EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: November 4-5-6 CFU Adult TamFEST
Heart of Croatia will bring its store to YOUR Croatian event; just call us at 740-587-7715.

Our ALL NEW, ALL CROATIAN Scrapbooking Kit...is now here!!!

Remember to purchase your special Croatian FATHER a unique and special gift right here!

Don't Miss Our Newest Category...the Adriatic Spa Collection!!!

LONELY PLANET voted Croatia as the "hottest travel destination" in the world in 2005. HEART OF CROATIA is proud to carry LONELY PLANET's Travel Guide to Croatia, (by Jeanne Oliver) one of the most authoritative travel guides on Croatia on the market today! Go to Books Category to order your copy! 3rd EDITION IS HERE AND HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Visit our CD Category; our newest additions are by the wonderful tambura ensembles, OTROV and SELO! And, Heart of Croatia also now offers a wonderful instructional kolo DVD/video! Heart of Croatia is the official North American representative for famed Croatian Naive Artist, Ivan Generalic.

Just contact us by email or by phone at 877-906-8314 (toll-free in USA).
 
You are receiving this email from Heart of Croatia because of your interest in our Gift Shop, or because of your interest in Croatia. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, add info@heartofcroatia.com  to your address book today.
 
Melissa Pintar Obenauf and Pamela Lacko Kelley, Proprietors
obenaufm@alink.com
www.croatiagifts.com
 

CROATIAN - AMERICAN DAY

Friday, May 13, 2005
DALEY PLAZA
 

11:45 AM - Flag Raising Ceremony - Singing of American and Croatian
Anthems

12:00 - 1:30 PM Cultural Program featuring all of our local folklore
groups with Special Guest Boduli

10:00 - 2:00 PM Tents featuring local artists and Croatian tourism

Please join us on the 13th to celebrate our heritage and remind
Chicago how many there are of us!

Also, please pass along this information to your collegues, co-
workers, and friends - Our goal is to raise the profile of our
community and Croatia in general.

Finally, mark your calendars - Every second Friday in May is being
designated Croatian-American Day

Any questions, please email Mijo Vodopic - mvodopic@hotmail.com

After celebrating Croatian Day in Chicago during the day, come to St.
Jerome's hall at night for a dance for this celebration. Doors open at 8pm.
Come between 8-9 and get a free drink! Music will be provided by Chicago's
very own, Drugi Put along with special guest performers. They will go on at
9pm. Entrance is $10.00. Sponsored by Klub Stepinac.

CroNetwork: The Croatian-American Organization for Young Professionals.
 

 
Dokumentarno-povijesno-informativni film na internetu:
www.LijepaNasaDomovinaHrvatska. com  

CROATIAN AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION
15 th
Anniversary Gala Celebration

produced / dirercted by
Zvonimir B. Ranogajec
 

Zahvaljujuci gospodinu Zvonimiru B. Ranogajcu, TV producentu i redatelju i gospodinu Ivici Grgicu, sponzoru i uredniku izvrsne webstranice Lijepa Nasa Domovina Hrvatska, imate jedinstvenu prigodu vidjeti na internetu: WWW. Lijepanasadomovinahrvatska.com veoma kvalitetan dokumentarno- povijesno - informativan film: "CAA 15 th Anniversary Gala Celebration" (28 min.) Film je snimljen prigodom svecane proslave 15.obljetnice Hrvatsko americke udruge (CAA), ogranak Illinois, 2. travnja 2005. godine u Sheraton Hotelu Chicago. Ovaj izvrstan dokumentarno- povijesno - informativan film informira gledatelja o 15. godisnjem lobistickom djelovanju Hrvatsko americke udruge (CAA) i pojedinaca, i o najnovijim dogadajima.

U filmu pojavljuju se mnogi ugledni gosti, koji govore o nepobitnoj cinjenici, da su mnogi aktivni i zasluzni clanovi Hrvatsko-americke udruge (CAA) odigrali povijesnu ulogu lobirajuci za Hrvatsku u Washingtonu tijekom Domovinskog rata! Isto tako, spomenula se i cinjenica, da su brojni clanovi udruge ucinili ono sto im je Bozja ljubav i veliko srce za njihovu prvu domovinu Hrvatsku govorilo, pomoci bezuvjetno svojem narodu u nevolji! Postojanje i dostupnost ovih informacija u rijeci i slici putem interneta su veoma znacajan preduvjet za svaku Hrvatsku udrugu i njihov razvoj u buducnosti!

S postovanjem,
Zvonimir B. Ranogajec
Krscanski TV producent & TV dokumentarista CAA.

ZRanogajec@peoplepc.com

St. Theresa's Orphanage

http://www.sttheresasorphanage.org/

Thank you for visiting -

Hello. My name is Sister Kristina Piskovic. I am the director of St. Theresas Orphanage in Zagreb, Croatia. Although the war is now over, our country is still feeling its after effects. Joblessness and poverty are common, especially among the young, and some unfortunate parents cannot provide for their children. Our government, which is still struggling in this "new economy" provides very little help, so we (the sisters), and the children, rely on our benefactors abroad.

Presently, we care for 35 children --- the youngest is a 3-month old boy and the eldest, a girl who has just graduated from secondary school. There is a lot of love here in our house, and a lot of happiness. The sisters are all young and we have the energy to love the children
like they were our own. We wish to make their childhood as nice and carefree as possible. We also try to heal the wounds left over from the war and from being abandoned by their parents. Children are the flowers of the world and they are the jewels of our nunnery.

As I stated, love and care is not a problem for us. But, a shortage of money is a major concern. Since our government does not help us very  much, we rely very heavily on the good will of our friends so that we can continue our work. If you are willing to help us help the orphans,
we will be very grateful and we will include you in our every day prayers.

Thank you and may God Bless.

http://www.sttheresasorphanage.org

St. Theresa's Orphanage
Dom Sv. Terezije
Sister Kristina Piskovic
Vrhovec29
10000 Zagreb
Croatia

How To Give

The Campaign for Saint Theresa's Orphanage has no paid staff. Every penny raised goes directly into an account that is accessed only by the sisters who operate the orphanage. We respond to the needs of the orphanage as they arise. If the roof needs repair, we raise the money. If the children need clothing, we find the clothes and send them.
It's success depends on the commitment of volunteers and the generosity of those who can spare a few dollars. It's very simple: Our volunteers work hard. Our donors give generously. The children benefit.
The Campaign for Saint Theresa's is affiliated with the Croatian Council of Kansas City, your donation is tax-deductible. More importantly, it will do much to help the children of Croatia.

Please send your donation to:
Christ the King Catholic Church
Memo: St. Theresa´s
c/o Don Wolf
3535 North 63rd Terrace
Kansas City, KS 66104

Croatian connection endures through years

By DAWN BORMANN The Kansas City Star - 2004

Ten years ago, Don Wolf didn't need to remind donors that the residents of Croatia needed a hand.

Newspaper headlines spoke for the Kansas City, Kan., man. The Balkan states were devastated by war. Croatia was left with burned-out homes, hospitals and schools. Refugees had no place to return.

Back then, Wolf went back to the country that his grandparents had emigrated from a century ago. He looked for ways to help.

"What could I do? I didn't think there was anything I could do. I was so far removed," he said to himself before his trip.

The professional photographer soon discovered that his pictures were the best way to humanize the story for Americans, who were eager to help.

But when the gunfire quieted and the bombing siege stopped, donations dried up. Years later, the problems linger, Wolf said.

The Croatian economy continues to struggle, crippled by inflation and riddled with unemployment. And Croatia has been denied access to the European Union and NATO.

Wolf's award-winning fundraising efforts have become considerably more difficult. Americans have refocused their efforts to other war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Iraq.

"The war is over. It's out of the front pages," he said. "People are tired of me."

When his work began, it was a different story.

Wolf started a non-profit group, the Croatian Council of Kansas City, and began writing to every American-Croatian organization he discovered. He scanned newspapers and magazines weekly, looking for potential donors. Slowly, Americans and many others began sending back the small church envelopes he had enclosed in each letter. The envelopes contained letters of encouragement and small donations.

He researched worthy causes in Croatia and with the help of a Croatian cousin found St. Theresa's Orphanage run by Catholic nuns. Wolf visited the orphanage to judge for himself. He found a building packed with mothers, fathers, families and orphans. In a laundry room, he discovered a mother and her six children who called the small area home.

At the time, deteriorated plumbing posed the biggest problem at the orphanage. So Wolf raised $25,000 and helped repair the pipes.

"I thought it was going to be the end of it. Then they needed medicine, baby food," he said. "Little by little, they needed a stove. They needed a washing machine."

Before he knew it, the tile roof needed to be replaced at the cost of $300,000. The Croatian government gave the orphanage $150,000 and Wolf launched a major campaign in America to come up with the balance. The photographer took snapshots of the children and sent pamphlets out across the country.

"By taking pictures of these kids, people see their faces," he said. "These aren't just statistics. These are real people."

Donations rolled in from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Indiana, Florida, Texas and beyond.

"So then, now I think I'm all done," he said.

But his work, it seems, has only begun.

The orphanage building still suffers from years of neglect. The children bear the emotional trauma of war and abandonment. The nuns, whose mission has become more respected throughout the country, have started outreach programs to help pregnant mothers.

And the Carmelite sisters have another pressing request for Wolf.

"Mr. Wolf, this is a four-story building. We carry food up and down .we need an elevator," one of the nuns told Wolf.

The orphanage receives some help from the government, but the nuns depend on Wolf's fundraising work. There is little hope that the Croatian government could spare the money for the elevator, so without Wolf, the project is doomed.

"We rely on God's providence and we believe that he sent us Mr. Don Wolf. His love and care for us helps us to go on, to continue with helping and living for abandoned children in Croatia," said Sister Victoria Sanjkovic, who helps to run the orphanage.

At the orphanage, Wolf is well-known to the children. They call him Papa Wolf and send thank-you letters to him and every donor.

Wolf's work is followed closely by others as well. He has received numerous awards for his charity work and has earned the respect of many.

Wolf and his wife, Mary Wolf, have also led several tours for Americans with Croatian roots. The tours always include a stop at the orphanage, where Americans can see firsthand how their donations are used. The tours have inspired many others to lead similar trips through the country.

Last week, Wolf received a letter from Barb Perisin, a supporter from Joliet, Ill., who had just returned from a visit with a tour group. She told Wolf that visiting the orphanage was the most memorable stop on the tour. When it came time to leave, she said, "There wasn't a dry eye on board that bus."

The experience reinforced their decision to donate money to the orphans, Perisin told him.

"Everyone agreed that the money they gave was well worth it and that the nuns really need that elevator," she wrote. "I hope they will continue to get enough donations to make that dream possible."

Letters like Perisin's remind Wolf that the 20 to 30 minutes he dedicates to the charity each day are well worth his time.

"It's a joy. This is so fulfilling I can't explain it," he said. "It's almost like a mandate from God."

For many, the philanthropy is easy to support, considering that 100 percent of donations are directed to the orphanage. In order to pay for postage, Wolf sells a videotape that teaches the delicate art of preparing povitica bread. He also sells Christmas cards to benefit the children.

While the donations inside the church envelopes have grown smaller, there are still surprises, he said.

When he retires, Wolf will dedicate even more time to Croatia and the orphans. Still, he sometimes tells the Carmelite sisters that someday he will retire from the philanthropy business. Of course, he can't speak those words without flashing a bright mischievous smile. He knows leaving the orphanage isn't really an option.

"I asked the sisters, when can I quit? She said, 'When we do.'"

Contact Don Wolf: Wolf1936@aol.com

Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC)

Address : Ante Kovacica 10 PO BOX 8 Sisak 44000 Croatia Tel : 00385 44 554 101
Fax : 00385 44 554 142
URL : http://www.hcr.hr/  E-mail :hcr@hcr.hr 

Zahvaljujemo svim sudionicima na izuzetnom zanimanju, dobroj raspravi i prezentacijama. Zamoljavamo ih takoer, da eÅ¡e posjeuju Internet stranicu HCR-a ( www.hcr.hr  ) i HCR-CTRO d.o.o. www.ctro.hr , te da nam svojim sugestijama pomognu u kreiranju III. Meunarodnog stru nog savjetovanja "Humanitarno razminiranje 2006.".

Oto Jungwirth
ravnatelj HCR-a
Mirko Ivanuši
Predsjednik
Organizacijskog odbora
Nikola Pavkovi
direktor HCR-CTRO-a

Norwegian People's Aid
Mine Action Programme - CROATIA

Norwegian People’s Aid is the Norwegian labour movement’s humanitarian aid organization which was established over 60 years ago, the basis for all its activities is to improve conditions under which individuals live and contribute to a more humane society for all. NPA has been involved in mine action since 1992, conducting mine action operations in 16 different countries covering three continents. Cambodia was the first country where NPA started mine clearance operations and since that date the organization has set up operations in: Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Kurdistan, Laos, Lebanon, Mozambique, Kosovo, Thailand and Western Sahara.

NPA works in adherence to the United Nations definition of mine action as being, “all those activities geared towards addressing the problems faced by populations as a result of landmine contamination. It is not just about mines as it is about people and their interaction with a mine-infested environment. Its aim is not purely to survey, mark and eradicate landmines – but humanitarian and developmental - to recreate an environment in which people can live safely, in which economic, social and health development can occur free from the constraints imposed by landmine contamination, and in which victims' needs are addressed.

Accordingly, NPA’s mine action activities included survey and task impact assessments, mine clearance involving manual, mechanical and mine detecting dogs), mine awareness and community liaison activities, advocacy and mine policy related work, research and development initiatives, landmine survivor assistance (to a limited extent) and support and capacity building to national mine action capacities.

The overall objective of any NPA mine action programme is, to facilitate, support and contribute to a sustainable improvement of the socio-economic living conditions for target populations in mine affected areas. To accomplish this we work within two major programme areas: the first focuses on the landmines already in the ground and the second on the prevention of further use of landmines. The former refers to all our work in the mine-affected countries including survey, clearance, and mine awareness activities. The latter refers to our engagement as one of the key organisations in the Ottawa Treaty Process and the international campaign to ban landmines (ICBL). Since the ratification of the treaty and the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the founding organisations and their Ambassador Ms. Jody Williams, NPA and its partners in ICBL have continued to lobby the non-signatories as well as supporting countries like Croatia, who have signed and ratified the Treaty. NPA also assist in the production of Landmine Monitor, which gives the annual overview of the mine problem worldwide. In addition to ICBL, NPA is also a member of other international mine action committees and working groups including the UNMAS Steering Committee and the GICHD Advisory Board.

According to the estimated figures presented by the Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC) around 700,000 mines and UXOs still remain undetected in Croatia. Out of the 21counties in Croatia, 14 are still mine contaminated from the conflict between 1991 and 1995. CROMAC estimates that the mine suspected area covers 1,350 km2, 10% of this area is considered to be actually mine contaminated. According the Croatian Mine Victims' Association there have been 1,880 mine victims since 1991.

http://www.npaid.hr/
 

Fundraiser for the City Museum of Vukovar SUCCESS

Dear members of AMAC Mid-Atlantic and the Croatian-American Chamber of
Commerce,

It is a pleasure to announce that thanks to your generosity we managed
to raise $11,110 for the City Museum of Vukovar, at the fundraiser held
in the restaurant The Terrace in the Sky in Manhattan, on May 1, 2005.
The fundraiser was organized by AMAC Mid-Atlantic
http://www.amac-ma.org/headlines/ , with the cooperation of the CACC
http://www.croamchamber.org/ . Thirty donations have been received,
ranging from $25 to $2,500. They were collected mostly during the
fundraiser, but some major donations were also sent by the people who
were unable to attend. Each donation, regardless of its size, is
valuable since it was given from the heart, and will be received with
gratitude by the people of Vukovar. To them, the funds we raised will
mean a great deal not only financially but also, and perhaps even more,
morally and emotionally, a tangible evidence that the Croatian
community here, although far away, stands with them.

The donations will soon be sent to Vukovar. Every donor will be
personally recognized and thanked in writing by the director of the
Vukovar museum, Mrs. Ruzica Maric. Our hope is to repeat this
fundraiser next year, and make it a regular annual event.

Thank you all once again, and have a great summer.

Sincerely,

Zlatko Bacic, President
AMAC Mid-Atlantic
zlatko.bacic@nyu.edu 
 

Croatian American 3rd Annual Golf Outing May 23, 2005

at North Hills Country Club, Manhasset, New York

Tel: (516) 627 9100

For registration donation and further information call (718) 539-2391

Dinner tickets still available

Charity event for American Cancer Society and Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign
 

Orco Property Group Wins "Suncani Hvar" Tender inCroatia

Monday April 4, 3:17 am ET

LUXEMBOURG, April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Croatian Privatization Fund has announced on April 1st, 2005 that Orco Property Group bid has been selected in the public tender for the privatisation of the company " Suncani Hvar". The company is now entering into exclusive negotiations with the government of Croatia.
ADVERTISEMENT


Suncani Hvar owns and operates water front hotels, restaurants and real estate assets in the city of Hvar, on the island of Hvar, the most famous island of Croatia. Orco intends to recapitalize the company and redevelop its assets, and to provide professional management of the hotels.

This is the first investment of Orco in Croatia, a growing touristic destination and the last country in Central europe set to join the European Union within a few years. Orco Property Group sees a huge potential in the development of the region and is glad to have the opportunity to start its Croatian expansion with this pearl of the Adriatic sea.

For more information about ORCO please see www.orcogroup.com

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050404/ukm002.html?.v=4

You are cordially invited to attend:

The second International Leaders Summit scheduled for June 1 and 2, 2005 at The Regent Esplanade Zagreb, Croatia

Participants and those seeking to create a favorable business and investment environment in Croatia and Southeast Europe will join world renowned economists, successful economic reformers, business, media communications and political leaders to discuss pro-growth solutions that will benefit individual citizens and lead to economic growth.

To Register online: www.ils-wde.org

ILS Strategic Theme: Economic Growth - Advocating Free Market Reforms

Speakers confirming their participation at this business and economic event:
Dr. Ivo Sanader, Prime Minister, Croatia. (Preliminary Confirmation Received - TBA)

Damir PolanÄ?ec, Deputy Prime Minister, Croatia
Vesna Ĺ kare-OĹžbolt, Minister of Justice, Croatia
Dr. Andrei Illarionov, Chief Economic Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and his Personal Representative (Russian Sherpa) in the "Group G-8." He is also the President of the Institute of Economic Analysis, an independent economic think-tank in Moscow, Russia. (Preliminary Confirmation Received - TBA)
Dr. Alvin Rabushka, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, "Father of the Flat Tax", Former Adviser to President Reagan, USA
Dr. JosĂŠ Piñera, Former Minister Labor and Social Security of Chile, Distinguished Senior
Fellow, Cato Institute and President of International Center for Social Security
Dr. Daniel Mitchell, Senior Fellow, Chief Tax Policy and Economy Expert, The Heritage Foundation, USA
James Carter, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC, USA
Peter Jungen, Chairman, Peter Jungen Holding GmbH, President European Enterprise Institute, Co-President, SME Union and Chairman, Economic Policy Council of European People's Party (EPP)
Matthew Bishop, Business Editor, The Economist, UK.
John Willman, Chief Leader Writer and Associate Editor, Financial Times, UK
Goran Gazivoda, Deputy CEO, HVB Splitska banka d.d., Croatia
Matthew Kaminski, Deputy Editorial Page Editor of The Wall Street Journal Europe.
Martin Summers, International Social Accountability Manager, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, British American Tobacco, UK
Simon Willis, CEO for Croatia and Bosnia &Herzegovina, British-American Tobacco
Matt D. Sertic, President/CEO, Applied Ceramics, California, USA
ILS Strategic Topics are as follows:
Tax Reform, Simplification and Competition: The Case for the Flat Tax
Chaired by Dr. Alvin Rabushka, Senior Fellow, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Former Senior Advisor to President Reagan and known as the "Father of the Flat Tax":
The Flat Tax Movement: Estonia, Slovakia and Romania
The Flat Tax - Gaining Momentum: Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia
Advancing Economic Freedom and Prosperity
Co-chaired by Dr. Daniel Mitchell, Senior Fellow, Chief Tax Policy and Economy Expert at the Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC, USA and John Willman, Deputy Editor at The Financial Times (UK) . ILS Strategic Sessions focusing on pro-growth solutions include:
The Rule of Law: Judicial Reforms, Combating Corruption and the Protection of Property Rights
Privatization and Deregulation
Labor Law Reform
Advocating Principles of Private Enterprise
Pension Reform: Creating An Ownership Society
Chaired by Dr.Jose Pinera, Chile's successful economic reformer and respected advisor to world leaders will lead this strategic session:
Empowering Workers: The Privatization of Social Security
The Next Step: Pension Funds - A Generator of Economic Growth
For inquiries, please contact:
Telephone: +385-1-4828-820, +385-1-4828-821, +385-1-4828 822
Fax: +385-1-4828-688
Email: AdriaticIPP@aol.com
or
Natasha.Srdoc-Samy@zg.t-com.hr

ILS Partners include Adriatic Institute for Public Policy, World Development and Empowerment (USA), British Croatian Business Network - BCBN, The Stockholm Network (UK), British American Tobacco (UK), Letica Corporation (USA), Applied Ceramics (USA), Maglite Instruments (USA), Amcham, Croatian Employers Association - HUP, HP, Croatia Airlines, Hauska and Partner, Spiller Farmer Ltd., The Regent Esplanade Zagreb, Europeans for Tax Reform (Austria), Arcotel, Potomac - Croata, Utilis, Makol Marketing and ISI Emerging Markets.

www.ils-wde.org