The football team of the CRO UNUM Charitable Society and the NK Vukovar club played a humanitarian exhibition match in front of a packed City Stadium in Vukovar (2000 people). Prior to the match itself, the Italian Ambassador, H.E. Emanuela D’Alessandro was handed a 100.000,00 kuna check for the victims of the earthquake by the President of the CRO UNUM Charitable Society, Prof Dragan Primorac, the Mayor of Vukovar Željko Sabo, the Prefect of the Vukovarsko-srijemska County Božo Galić, the President of the Association of Children of Killed and Missing Defenders of the Homeland War Jelena Zera Gavrić, the President of the Management Board of Podravka Zvonimir Mršić, the Executive Vice-president of Agrokor and the Vice-president of the CRO UNUM Ante Todorić, the Vice-president of the CRO UNUM Jako Andabak. At the same time, the companies Podravka and Agrokor pledged to provide several hundred thousand kuna worth of food and other necessities to the victims.

Before the game, singer Đani Stipaničev performed the anthem of the CRO UNUM Charitable Society, titled “I love you, Croatia” and composed by Neno Ninčević. The rest of the program saw performances from Alen Nižetić and Goran Karan, as well.

Among the players who appeared on the field for the CRO UNUM football team were: Igor Štimac, Zoran Mamić, Dario Šimić, Joško Jeličić, Robert Kovač, Đani Stipaničev, Alen Nižetić, Goran Karan, Luka Vidović, Tomislav Madžar, Ivica Šurjak, Robert Špehar, Veljko Mršić, Franjo Arapović, Dragan Primorac and many others.

In the second half of the tied game, the Mayor of Vukovar Željko Sabo switched sides with the President of the CRO UNUM Charitable Society, prof Dragan Primorac, who then scored a penalty kick for the NK Vukovar team. The overall spectacle somewhat outshone the final host’s victory, but it did not seem to matter as the members of the CRO UNUM Charitable Society and the present citizens of Vukovar joined in celebration.

The humanitarian initiative “Croatian Heart for Italy” was organized by the largest Croatian Charitable Society CRO UNUM, the City of Vukovar, Vukovarsko-srijemska County,  the Association of Children of Killed and Missing Defenders of the Homeland War, the Croatia Football Federation in cooperation with the Italian Embassy. The Croatian companies and institutions: Agrokor, Podravka, Privredna banka Zagreb, Croatian Employer’s Association, Eye Clinic Svjetlost, Piramida and the City of Knin, joined the initiative as donors and sponsors.

The humanitarian aid raised in the course of the “Croatian Heart for Italy” event will go to the Croatian Red Cross to be passed on to the friends of Vukovar in Italy whose cities and villages have recently suffered a destructive earthquake, and who are well remembered for their help to the citizens of Vukovar during the Homeland War.

The Humanitarian initiative for earthquake damage relief for Italy and its highlight event, which is scheduled for July 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at the City Stadium in Vukovar were presented to the media at a press conference in Vukovar, following a similar conference in Zagreb.

The event was organized by the largest Croatian charity CRO UNUM, the City of Vukovar, Vukovar-Srijem County, and the Association of Children of Killed and Missing Defenders of the Homeland War, in cooperation with the Italian Embassy and the Croatian Football Federation. A particularly interesting exhibition football match will be played in the course of the event, fielding Igor Štimac, Zoran Mamić, Dario Šimić, Stjepan Tomas, Robert Špehar, Zlatko Dalić, Robert Kovač, Đani Stipaničev, Alen Nižetić, Mate Bulić, Giuliano Đanić, Goran Karan, Boris Živković, Veljko Mršić, Franjo Arapović, Stojko Vranković and others.

The funds raised by this charity project are to be forwarded by the Croatian Red Cross to the Italian Friends of Vukovar who were helping to ease sufferings of citizens of Vukovar during the Homeland War, but have recently suffered a tragedy themselves during the earthquake.

General Secretary of CRO UNUM dr. Tomislav Madžar, Deputy Mayor of the City of Vukovar Danijela Stanković, President of the Association of Children of Killed and Missing Defenders of the Homeland War Jelena Zera Gavrić and a Vukovar citizen Ms Vanja Sabo took part in the conference. During the war operations in Vukovar, Ms Sabo and Ms Gavrić were refugees who found shelter in Italy where they more than strongly felt the friendship and cordiality of Italian people, which they will cherish for the rest of their lives. When the earthquake recently struck Italy, they felt a strong urge to provide at least some kind of assistance to the people affected by the events and this is what sparked the initiative which would later be well received and brought forward by the CRO UNUM Charity, under the name “Croatian Heart for Italy”.

Deputy Mayor of Vukovar, Danijela Stanković, said that she was proud that the City of Vukovar, in spite of its still present great needs and shortages, had become a very significant partner in this project to aid others in their hour of need. Božo Galić, the prefect of the Vukovar-Srijem County, said that the County had immediately been willing to join the project because of its noble intentions and the message it spread. Dr. Tomislav Madžar of the CRO UNUM Charity Secretariat thanked all the partners involved in the organization of the project, attributing it as a unique and true proof of the great strength of heart and spirit of the citizens of the heroic City of Vukovar. Dr. Madžar also thanked companies Agrokor, Podravka, Privredna banka Zagreb, Poliklinika Svjetlost and Piramida, who had recognized the value of the initiative and supported it.

During the press conference, pop singer Đani Stipaničev performed the anthem of the CRO UNUM Charity titled “I love you, Croatia”, composed by Neno Ninčević.

Source:

www.crounum.hr
www.vukovar.hr

Today a press conference was held in Hotel Westin on the upcoming charity raising event for earthquake relief and recovery in Italy. The event is due on July 2nd at 7 p.m. in Vukovar. Her Excellency Italian Ambassador Emanuela D’Alessandro, President of the Charitable Society CRO UNUM Prof Dragan Primorac, Mayor of Vukovar Željko Sabo, CRO UNUM Vice Presidents Prof Igor Jukić, Franjo Arapović, Dario Šimić and a number of celebrated Croatian athletes joined by pop-performer Đani Stipaničev, who will play the exhibition match in Vukovar, all spoke for the media. During the press conference, Đani Stipaničev performed for the first time the new anthem of the CRO UNUM Charity titled “I love you, Croatia” composed by Neno Ninčević.

The keynote speaker at the conference was Prof Primorac who greeted the participants and took the opportunity to briefly revisit a few of the most important CRO UNUM initiatives in the past (a humanitarian sporting and musical event “From the Heart”, held in front of a packed Poljud Stadium, honoring the tragically killed firemen heroes of Kornati, which took place in 2007; a similar Varaždin event “Hearts for Knowledge” in 2008, regarded to be one of the most successful charity projects in Croatia, with the purpose of raising start-up funds for the National Foundation for Support to the Pupil and Student Standard of Living). He stressed that he was personally very pleased that the Hero City Vukovar, along with all of the Croatia could now help fellow Italians whose homes had suffered in the recent destructive earthquake. Italy and Croatia are close countries, he said, and such events only bring them even closer. Prof Primorac also thanked Božo Galić, the prefect of the Vukovar-Srijem County, and Jelena Zera Gavrić of the Association of Children of Killed and Missing Defenders of the Homeland War, who both also co-organized the event. In the end, he gave special thanks to Podravka and Agrokor, Croatia’s respectable companies who valued and sponsored the project.

Mayor Sabo reminded us that Italian friends had extended their helping hand to the children and sufferers in war operations in Vukovar, when it was most needed, and offered to host a stay of fifty Italian children in Vukovar. Her Excellency Ambassador thankfully accepted and announced her participation in the upcoming rowing race Ilok – Vukovar.

In regard to the “Croatian Heart for Italy”, Her Excellency said that she had been deeply moved to hear about the project and conveyed the extent of damages of the recent earthquake. She specifically remembered the devastation and atrocities that Vukovar had suffered and pointed out that the project will establish yet firmer bonds between Italy and Croatia. The Ambassador specifically expressed that she wished to participate in the future activities of CRO UNUM Charitable Society.

Celebrated athletes and CRO UNUM members and officials Dario Šimić, Veljko Mršić, and Stojko Vranković looked back with emotion on the days when they had played in Italian clubs and said that they were happy to be part of the project.

Charity event “Croatian Heart for Italy” is orgnaized by CRO UNUM, Croatia’s largest charity, City of Vukovar, Vukovar-Srijem County and Association of Children of Killed and Missing Defenders of the Homeland War in cooperation with the Italian Embassy.

“Croatian Heart for Italy” has already attracted large Croatian companies Podravka and Agrokor who have decided to donate food and other required goods for the sufferers of the earthquake and the list of companies willing to participate is growing longer with each day. The aim of the entire project is to raise funds to be forwarded by the Croatian Red Cross to the Italian Friends of Vukovar who were helping to ease the sufferings of citizens of Vukovar during the Homeland War, but have recently suffered a tragedy themselves during the earthquake.

The high point of the project will be a very attractive exhibition football match played by many famous Croatian athletes and other prominent public figures such as Igor Štimac, Dragan Primorac, Zoran Mamić, Dario Šimić, Silvio Marić, Robert Kovač, Ivica Šurjak, Đani Stipaničev, Alen Nižetić, Mate Bulić, Giuliano Đanić, Goran Karan, Boris Živković, Bruno Kovačević, Veljko Mršić, Franjo Arapović, Stojko Vranković, Slaven Knezović, Zlatko Dalić, Silvio Marić, Robert Špehar, Joško Jeličić, Damir Primorac, Tomislav Madžar, Luka Vidović, Petar Šarić, Ivan Krakan and many more.

The  Croatian Charitable Society CRO UNUM and the Croatian-Israeli Business Club (CIBC) have organized their traditional annual gathering and have hosted 80 prominent members and friends of the Club and the Society.

The traditional gathering, hosted by Mr. Božo Čulo CIBC member and owner of Partner Bank d.d., was attended by many distinguished persons from the Croatian society, businessmen, judges, including the President of the Administrative Court of the Republic of Croatia Mr Ante Galic, doctors, deans, rectors, diplomats including Mr Pjer Simunovic, rector of the University of Rijeka Prof. Pero Lucin, member of the Board of Podravka Mr Jorn Pedersen, Prof.  Stipe Oreskovic, Mr Ante Todoric, Mr Jako Andabak, president of the Croatian Employers Association Mr Ivan Miloloža, Prof. Nikica Gabric, Mr. Gojko Ostojic, famous Croatian athletes Mr Franjo Arapović, Mr Zoran Primorac, Mr Veljko Mršić, Ms Ivana Brkljacic, famous singer Mr Mate Bulic and many others.

During the meeting the president of the Croatian-Israeli Business Club (CIBC) and the Croatian Charitable Society CRO UNUM Prof. Dragan Primorac used this opportunity to thank all the members, friends and supporters of CIBC and CRO UNUM for all their efforts and energy invested in many successful projects organized by this two organizations, and expressed his excitement for all the projects planned for the near future.

On this occasion the guests were presented the anthem of the Croatian Charitable Society CRO UNUM named ‘I love you Croatia’ composed by the famous Croatian composer Mr Neno Nincevic and performed by the famous Croatian singer Mr Đani Stipaničev.

Professor Dragan Primorac met yesterday with friends, famous Croatian athletes and members of the Humanitarian Association Cro Unum among them Dario Šimić, Boris Živković, Robert Kovač and Josip Šimunić. Among other things, a friendly meeting was an opportunity to talk about future projects of the Humanitarian Association Cro Unum, in which so far the best Croatian athletes, famous singers, actors, businessmen and other people of good will always took part.

Members of the Charitable Society CRO UNUM visited Varaždin to participate at a friendly soccer tournament organized by CRO UNUM members and recognized soccer coaches Mr Branko Ivanković and Mr Zlatko Dalić. CRO UNUM played against members of the famous Croatian national team from France ’98 and other local teams. Many famous and recognized Croatian sportsmen took part in the event including Franjo Arapović, Zoran Mamić, Goran Vlaović, Zlatko Dalić, Zvonimir Boban, the singer Goran Karan and other.

Today, on September 19th, 2011, the Croatian Charitable Society CRO UNUM has handed over an apartment to Alenko Brač Roje (63), a homeless veteran from Split. It was the president of the society, Mr Dragan Primorac, who gave the idea that CRO UNUM provide the fully paid lodging to Mr Barač Roje for a year and at the same time urge the appropriate government bodies to help find a lasting solution for Mr Barač’s housing problem.

Many media representatives, the Croatian public figures, dignitaries, members and affiliates of the society, attended the handover ceremony, such as the celebrated athlete Franjo Arapović, Admiral Ivica Tolić, President of the County HVIDRA (disabled veterans’ association) Mario Tomasović, Prof Stipan Janković, former Dean of The Faculty of Medicine, Dr Mladen Rakić, Director of the Sv Katarina hospital, Dr Tomislav Madžar, Secretary of the Society, Igor Zgrabljić, Croatian – General Secretary of the Croatian-Israeli business club, and a number of Alenko’s fellow soldiers. Mr Barač Roje was obviously excited when he was thanking the President of CRO UNUM, Mr Dragan Primorac, for his help, and stated that this event reinstated his trust in Croatia for which he fought, as well as the kind people who were always there. Prof Dragan Primorac pointed out that the CRO UNUM will cooperate with HVIDRA and the competent authorities to work out  veteran status of Mr Roje. “I am happy that we helped Alenko today because Croatia would not exist as a State if people like Alenko and others like him were not there. We, the society, will keep providing help as much as we can to all those who need it the most and this is our most important vision!”

During their general assembly, members of the CRO UNUM charitable society were joined by members of the Croatian- Israeli Business Club. Israeli ambassador, Yosef Amrani, was also present as well as more than 70 members of the Society from sports, cultural, media, entertainment, business and academic circles of Croatia.
President of the CRO UNUM society, Prof.dr. Dragan Primorac presented the newly appointed vice presidents of the CRO UNUM charitable society. New executive Vice presidents are: Dario Šimić, Zoran Primorac, Franjo Arapović, Jako Andabak, Ante Todorić, Sanja Mlačak, Vedran Mlikota, Mate Bulić, prof.dr. Iva Dekaris nad prof.dr. Igor Jukić.
Along with the above mentioned members, also present at the general assembly were famous Croatian athletes and members of CRO UNUM Mario Ančić, Stojko Vranković, Arijan Kozniku, football coaches Branko Ivanković and Zlatko Dalić, sports manager Zoran Mamić, actors and entertainers Slaven Knezović and Luka Vidović, musicians Boris Novković, TV presenter Petar Vlahov, entrepreneurs Gojko Ostojić, Dinko Lucić, Božo Čulo, Ivan Miloloža, Ivan Rimac, pater Ivan Tolj, prof.dr.sc. Stipan Janković, parliament representative Stjepan Fiolić and many others.
President of CRO UNUM, Dragan Primorac presented an overview of past activities of the society whose members have organised large charitable actions in the Republic of Croatia, such as “Od src a” (From the heart) for the tragically deceased firefighters in Kornati. This charity event was held on the packed Poljud stadium in Split in 2007. Also CRO UNUM organised a great charity – music event in Varaždin “Srcem za znanje” (Hearts for knowledge) in 2008, (football match between the legendary 1998 Croatian national team lead by Ćiro Blaževič and the members of CRO UNUM), installation of the statue of Mary, Mother of God with baby Jesus on the Krka rest stop on the A1 Zagreb – Split highway in 2009, etc. He also reflected on the fact that this association gathers the most successful representatives of all professions in Croatia and pointed out that the vision of CRO UNUM is to strengthen the unity between the members of Croatian society, help all of those in need and give a positive contribution to the wider community.