On Friday, December 21, 2012, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), the United Macedonian-Americans of Detroit (UMAD), Ajvar LLC, and Pencils 4 Kids International (P4KI) delivered much-needed aid to the “11th October” orphanage in Skopje, Macedonia in the form of twenty-five new beds/mattresses and school supplies for all the orphans.
“We were warmly welcomed at the orphanage by the children and the staff, and very much enjoyed the singing and dancing performances” said UMD Washington, D.C./Maryland/Virginia Regional Representative Zhikica Pagovski, who delivered the aid to the orphanage in Skopje. “It is an amazing feeling to give back to our homeland by helping these children and witnessing their joy.”
“UMAD was thrilled to be part of this initiative to help the Skopje orphanage. Our goal this holiday season was to show to these children that someone cares for them, their warmth and happiness,” said UMAD President Tom Bayoff. “It gives us great joy that during this holiday season, these children will be able to sleep in warm, new beds.”
UMAD raised these funds at their November 3, 2012 “Proud to be Macedonian” banquet attended by over 350 guests. UMAD organizes an annual fundraising event each year in Detroit to benefit the needy in Macedonia.
“The educational development of all children worldwide, especially in Macedonia, has been a priority of P4KI since it was founded, and we were honored to join together with UMD, UMAD, and Ajvar LLC, and take a small part in the children’s joy by providing them school supplies,” said P4KI Co-Founder Ambassador Ljubica Z. Acevska, and Macedonia’s first Ambassador to the United States.
“Our September 9, 2012 Ajvar 5K Run/Walk had a vision to raise funds for orphans in Macedonia, and we hope to ensure this is an annual event so that the Macedonian Diaspora and friends of Macedonia have an opportunity to get involved in helping the needy in Macedonia,” said Ajvar LLC Co-Founder Bernard Pesjak.
Ajvar 5K Run/Walk brought together over 150 runners/walkers, and will be held on an annual basis. The 2nd Annual Ajvar 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2013 in Washington, D.C., and has plans to expand to other cities in the U.S. and Canada.
Click HERE to see pictures from the donations to the “11th October” orphanage, and HERE for videos.