Friday, 08 November 2024
INTERVIEW - Niko Hazdovac - Doing good deeds becomes a rewarding and contagious experience CROPIX

INTERVIEW - Niko Hazdovac - Doing good deeds becomes a rewarding and contagious experience

Written by  Oct 24, 2024

The Libertas Foundation were awarded this week with the “Municipality's Certificate of Appreciation” at the Konavle Municipality Day. We caught up with one of the founding members and indeed president of this non-profit organisation, Niko Hazdovac, to discover just how much this recognition means to the US based foundation. The Libertas Foundation is a non-profit public benefit corporation established in San Pedro in December of 1991, and over the years they have been extremely active in both raising funds, organising special actions and scholarship funds.

INTEREVIEW Niko Hazdovac Doing good deeds becomes a rewarding and contagious experience 1

Congratulations to the Libertas Foundation on winning the award of the “Municipality's Certificate of Appreciation” at the Day of Konavle. Could you let our readership know more on the work of the foundation?

Libertas Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization based in California, founded in December 1991 during the attack on Dubrovnik. Operated by volunteers, the foundation ensures that all funds raised or donations received are used solely for humanitarian purposes. Initially, the organization helped establish a soup kitchen at St. Peter's Church on Boninovo in Dubrovnik, sending kitchen equipment and food supplies from Los Angeles. Monetary donations were also directed toward rebuilding churches, purchasing hospital equipment, and assisting individuals in need. In 2002, the "Ante & Evelyn Mrgudic" scholarship fund was created to support trade school students facing financial hardship, and it continues to provide aid today.

Your foundation is based in San Pedro, USA. How involved are you in fostering co-operation between Croatia and the USA?

The Libertas Foundation actively participates in fundraising events, such as the Sv. Vlaho/St. Blaise feast, while also promoting Croatian culture. The organization brings Croatian entertainers to the community and collaborates closely with local Croatian groups.

What were your reactions after winning this award and will it be hanging up in the US or somewhere in the south of Croatia?

We are, of course, grateful for being recognized by the Municipality of Konavle and hope this will encourage future cooperation. The award will be proudly displayed in our office in the U.S. Thank you. Its little overwhelming…we are just trying to help some people in need and not looking for anything in return.

INTEREVIEW Niko Hazdovac Doing good deeds becomes a rewarding and contagious experience 2

What achievement is the foundation proudest of in 2024?

The foundation is especially proud that we managed to continue awarding scholarships and running other programs despite the challenges of COVID and the loss of several long-standing board members who had been with us from the very beginning.

And what are the foundations plans for the future?

We are currently encouraging younger individuals to get involved and carry on our charitable programs. We also plan to revive our biggest annual fundraiser, the St. Blaise Festivity, now that the COVID restrictions have eased.

INTEREVIEW Niko Hazdovac Doing good deeds becomes a rewarding and contagious experience 3

And finally do you have a last word for our readers?

Once the charity bug bites, doing good deeds becomes a rewarding and contagious experience. It's true that giving is better than receiving. In today's challenging world, we cannot rely solely on the government to provide help to everyone in need; charitable organizations and generous individuals must step up. I believe many more people could and should get involved. As one great philanthropist once said, "You don’t have to feed a hundred people if you can’t afford it, but most of us can probably help at least one person."

The Voice of Dubrovnik

THE VOICE OF DUBROVNIK


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