August 2004 - Other News

BANQUET JOURNAL

We will be publishing a journal for our 60th Anniversary
Celebration and plan to solicit ads from our parishioners and friends of St.
Sava. For your convenience, you will receive a cover letter and an ad form.
You may wish to purchase a family, individual, or business-size ad. Your ad
may honor relatives, friends, etc., or someone who is deceased. Or you may
want to advertise your business. The choice is yours. Ads may be submitted
in English or Serbian. Join us in this worthwhile project.

R&D COMMITTEE

Your committee has been very busy, as reflected in the
following fundraising events. We also report on our efforts to obtain grants
and our “outreach” activities in the community – important factors when
grants are reviewed.
Grants: Ms. Lillian Booth, our greatest and most consistent donor, will have
contributed $125,000 by 2005--which includes $50,000 from previous years,
the most recent donation of $37,500, and a comparable amount for 2005. For
the past three years we have applied to New York State for an Historic
Preservation Grant of $350,000, and while our application was among the
best, it was rejected for a very significant reason. Much effort goes into
preparing a voluminous grant application, and we recently learned that our
weakness lies in a lack of “outreach” in the community. We are attempting to
rectify this deficit as follows:
Blood Drive: Our first blood drive was held in the Parish Hall on Saturday,
June 26th, organized and operated by the Red Cross. Although the response
was rather poor (10 blood donors), in future drives we hope to increase the
number of participants in this very critical program.
Food for the Needy: Whenever you come to Church, we request that you bring
in canned goods or other non-perishable foods. Please place donated food in
the large plastic box located in the Parish Hall between the bar and the
stairs. Help us help the poor by showing our concern for those less
fortunate than we. In addition, all leftover food on Sundays is donated to a
shelter for the homeless
The Church receives a letter of acknowledgement from each “outreach”
recipient, which is then attached to the grants’ applications. Should you
have other ideas about how we can extend our “outreach” program, please feel
free to contact Dr. Zorka Milich, Chairwoman.

WILLS

There are many different types of “wills”: the Will of God, good
will, and “wills” to protect the distribution of your estate according to
your wishes. Whether young or old, preparing a will directs your
executor/executrix on how to handle your distributions. It also saves your
family from additional grief after your demise. While arranging your will,
you may also want to consider charitable contributions, especially to your
church. When and where applicable it may even save on your estate taxes. May
we suggest you consider St. Sava as one of your charitable distributions?
Estate planning is a very serious consideration not to be overlooked.

SPRING ACTIVITIES

SPRING ACTIVITIES: This has been a busy Spring. Following the Celebration of
Pascha and subsequent lunch on April 11th, a reception to honor our larger
donors was held by the R&D Committee on Saturday evening, April 17th, in the
Parish Hall, decorated in soft candlelight, beautiful floral centerpieces,
and a buffet table of glorious food. Though this event was organized to pay
tribute to our guests and not as a fundraiser, $15,000 was raised
unexpectedly.
Not having a Patron Saint for the R&D Committee, we unanimously decided that
St. Bishop Nikolai of Zicha would be our Patron Saint. Not only was St.
Bishop Nikolai a resident bishop at St. Sava, but many R&D members knew him
during that time period. A memorial service was held in his honor on Sunday,
May 9th, followed by a well-attended luncheon in our Parish Hall.
The R&D Committee held a successful flea market on Saturday, June 5th and
Sunday, June 6th.
On Sunday, June 27th, the Vidovdan memorial service, attended by HRH Prince
Alexandar and Princess Katarina and 250 congregants, was celebrated by
Bishop Dr. Mitrofan, Fr. Djokan, and Deacon Dragoslav, followed by a special
program by the St. Sava Sunday School children, under the directorship of
Mrs. Liljana Knezevich. Then, everyone proceeded to the dining room on the
2nd floor to enjoy a wonderful Lenten luncheon prepared by the Circle of
Serbian Sisters. His Majesty, Prince Alexandar spoke to the guests in both
Serbian and English. Bishop Mitrofan, likewise, addressed the public.

NEW KITCHEN AND RESTROOMS

A modern kitchen was installed in 2003. This year
brought new restrooms on the 2nd floor of the Parish Hall. Both are welcome
additions. Only the material, appliances, and fixtures required a financial
outlay. All of the construction work was donated by a professional coterie
of volunteers, parishioners who took upon themselves the formidable task of
renovating a 19th century kitchen into one both up-to-date and functional.
The Ladies and Men’s rooms are beautifully tiled and well-appointed. The
turn-of-the-century Parish Hall is slowly undergoing much-needed renovation.

“SLATES FOR SALE” DRIVE

For those of you who bought and immortalized your
messages on roof slates, it will be thrilling to know your slates are
protecting your church and a national treasure. Your written message will
last in perpetuity on the new roof. The signed slate will be placed face
down on the church roof to preserve your message. If you have not purchased
these commemorative slates, please see Branko Radulovic, who chairs the
“Slates for Sale” committee. Slates sell for $10 each. Don’t be left out of
this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A THANK YOU TO ALL

The R&D Committee wishes to thank the Church Board, the
Circle of Serbian Sisters, and particularly the young people who volunteer
their time and effort at our events. We extend an invitation to all who are
available to participate in our fundraising and all church-related
activities. Mnoga hvala to one and all!