LIFELINE CHICAGO 2022 MISSION TRIP TO SERBIA

Belgrade, 6 July 2022 - TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine are happy to announce that, after disruptions brought on by the Covid pandemic, it was possible for them to greet dear friends and benefactors once again in Serbia thanks to Lifeline Chicago’s traditional Mission Trip.

During this four-day visit to Serbia, board members and friends and benefactors of Lifeline Humanitarian Organization of Chicago, which has operated under the patronage of HRH Crown Princess Katherine for over 25 years, were greeted by Their Royal Highnesses and given a tour of the Royal Complex on the first day of their visit.

Lifeline Chicago’s Mission Trips are the perfect opportunity for their donors to see first-hand how their generosity has helped the people of Serbia. These journeys are also an ideal opportunity for members of the Serbian diaspora to keep close connections with their homeland, and for our friends from the United States, who have been impressed by Lifeline Chicago’s humanitarian activities, to see how their contributions directly assist those in need.

During this trip, the group visited many institutions they directly assist and made plans for future humanitarian actions. A few of the places the group visited include: The Belgrade Shelter, The Drinka Pavlovic, Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj, Vasa Stajic, and Zvecanska Orphanages in Belgrade, The Spomenak Orphanage in Pancevo, a Women's Shelter in Belgrade, and the Psychiatric Hospital in Kovin.

On Wednesday, June 29th, HRH Crown Princess Katherine joined the group during the visit to Zvecanska Home for Children in Belgrade, together with Mrs. Biljana Zekavica, assistant to H.E. Darijа Kisic Tepavcevic, Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs of the Government of Serbia.  In addition, the group visited the St. Sava Cathedral and the Saborna Crkva in Belgrade, and St. George – Oplenac in Topola, Serbia.

“I am so happy to have the opportunity to welcome the wonderful benefactors of Lifeline Chicago in our country. Our diaspora and our international friends are helping our hospitals, safe houses, homes for children without parents, homes for the elderly, and they do that every year! Covid has not stopped them, nothing can stop them in their mission of doing good and providing for the others. For Christmas and Easter, they make special bags for each orphan with their name, toys, clothes, and shoes in their size.

This organization whose patron I am is helping Serbia, especially children, for more than 25 years already. I’m very proud to be the patron of this humanitarian cause and I would like to thank you all for everything you do for Serbia and to emphasize how important the diaspora is when it comes to humanitarian work. Whenever we are making deliveries, I am always conveying the gratitude of the Serbian people to our donors, but I am so happy that you are here because words are not enough to emphasize how important your work is, and how much good you have brought to people here. When you can see it, when you see the smiles on children’s faces that were touched by your kindness, you will even more know how much your efforts mean to our country.

When I was young, my mother told me she wants only one thing from me in life – to be a good example. And I must say, all you, our dear friends, you are the best possible examples to the entire world“, said HRH Crown Princess Katherine.