MILWAUKEE, May 21, 2014.
The Balkans region has been hit with the worst flood in 120 years. Several months of rain fell in just 48 hours, causing rapidly rising rivers to surge into homes, sometimes reaching up to the second floors, sending people climbing to rooftops waiting to be rescued. Tens of thousands were forced to flee, while those who were able to stay in their homes were left without electricity or drinking water. Authorities are reporting 17 lives lost, but the death toll is expected to rise. This is a terrible catastrophe for Bosnia, a country that is already dealing with a stagnant economy and is recovering from a recent war.
To help the victims, the Bosnian community in Milwaukee is organizing a fundraiser. Collected donations will be taken to BH Shipping Services in Chicago. This agency is working with BOSTEL Foundation and all donations will be distributed throughout Bosnia.
We will be collecting the following items: ready-to-feed baby food (not the powder kind, as clean water is an issue), diapers for babies and adults, wipes, personal care items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, tampons and pads, etc.), pain relief medicine (over the counter, such as Tylenol, Advil, etc). Clothing and shoes for babies and children, as well as blankets. This population is also in need of sanitary face masks and gloves.
Donations will be collected at:
EVO Milwaukee
233 E. Chicago St.
Milwaukee WI, 53202
Monday, May 26th
12 – 4 pm
EVO Milwaukee will be donating free appetizers and ½ hour of free ping-pong to anyone who brings in a donation.
We will also be collecting monetary donations. All funds collected will be sent to a Bosnian agency named Udruzenje Gradjana Komsiluk, an organization in Sarajevo, Bosnia, which is working tirelessly to deliver food and medicine to those most in need. The work of this wonderful organization can be seen by visiting their FB Page.
If you are unable to come to the event but still wish to donate, you can do so using our GoFundMe link. http://www.gofundme.com/9dtkx4
This fundraiser is being organized by Amila Rizvic, Seila Ahmetovic and Natasa Jones. The organizers are from Bosnia and Montenegro, former Yugoslavia republics. They are just three young women who are trying to make a difference and get the help to those in need as soon as possible.
Please note that no donation is too small; three cans of ready-to-feed baby formula feeds a small baby for one week, and one small pack of diapers can last up to a week. Any donation/help is welcome. Please help us spread the word and help those in need.
