CROWN PRINCESS DELIVERS CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR ORPHANS IN BELGRADE

As part of the Royal family of Serbia’s traditional activities of bringing joy to children in need for Christmas, HRH Crown Princess Katherine with her sister, Mrs. Betty Roumeliotis, visited today two homes for children and a women’s shelter in Belgrade and gave presents to the children who live in these institutions. 

The gifts that were delivered today were, with great love and dedication, prepared by Lifeline Humanitarian Organization of Chicago, whose patron is HRH Crown Princess Katherine, following the great commitment of Lifeline donors and benefactors to bring the joy of Christmas to children in need in Serbia and the Republic of Srpska. Thousands of gifts for the Christmas holiday arrived in a large container at the Royal Complex last November, including clothing, shoes, toys, hygiene bags, strollers, and school supplies. The gifts for each orphan are personalized, to match the gender and age of the child, as well as the size of the clothes and shoes.

Significant support has also been provided to the women who live at Zvecanska Women’s Shelter by donating 8 packages of knitting supplies - needles, yarn, and training knitting books, to contribute to the women learning new skills and their financial independency upon leaving this institution.

The institutions that Her Royal Highness visited today are Zvecanska Women’s Shelter, Drinka Pavlovic orphanage, and Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj Home for Children and Youth. All three homes visited are units of the “Zvecanska” Center for the Protection of Infants, Children, and young people, which has a rich history of very successful cooperation with HRH Crown Princess Katherine’s Foundation.

“There is nothing in the world more precious than a smile on the face of a child, receiving precious gifts, knowing that they have not been forgotten. When a person knows that her or his efforts brought that smile, it is the greatest prize in the world. There is no greater reward than that special feeling in their heart that a difference was made, and you have then really experienced what the Joy of Giving really is.

Thanks to the support of our donors and the wonderful people from Lifeline Chicago who continue the tradition of supporting our children all these years, it was possible for us to bring joy to all these beautiful children today. My husband and I are also looking forward to once again bringing happiness to more than 1,000 children tomorrow, 5 January, at our traditional Christmas reception at the White Palace. We are very grateful to all the wonderful donors, for making it possible to bring the spirit of Christmas to the youngest and to enrich their childhood. Our children always need to know that they are loved. We have no right to forget them, or to ignore the moment to give them a chance to receive this special gift," said HRH Crown Princess Katherine.

The directors of all three institutions expressed their gratitude to HRH Crown Princess Katherine, Lifeline Chicago, and Crown Princess Katherine’s foundation for their continuous support of their institutions, which makes a great difference in the lives of the children who live there.

Their Royal Highnesses are very grateful to generous donors and benefactors of Lifeline Chicago and to the Lifeline Chicago Board Members, who made it possible again this year for children in need to feel the joy and love of the Christmas holiday season.