American Serb History 101

July, 2011:  All the Serbian world was rejoicing when Novak (Nole) Djokovic became the Tennis Champion of the World.  We wanted him and his family, team, and the Serbs around the world to know that we in the Greater Pittsburgh area saluted this great Serbian Ambassador's accomplishments on and off the field. So we used the occasion of Pittsburgh's 3-Day celebration to highlight the event and to also to help raise money for the SNF.  We thought of the cookies!

Cousin Marsha from Erie, PA bought a Nole cookie from us for $10.  Right away, Baba Mim doubled that amount, making $30 for the SNF Scholarship fund!  Notice the NOLE badges that SNF Distinguished Service Member, George Topich, had made for everyone to wear to show our pride and support for Novak!

Although she's only 4 1/2 years old on this photo, this was Jocey's 5th- SNF 3-Day!  She travels thousands of miles to be with her family during this time, and to make her Baba's heart so proud.  Here, she's learning from her Baba as her Baba Mim learned from her grandmother Babas.... the importance of "giving back," especially to the Serb National Federation which played such an important role in the history of our early immigrant forefathers to America.

Even after the cookies were gone, Mira from Chicago (pink dress) bought "one" for $10, adding $30 more dollars to the pot.  Branko Terzic's lovely wife Judy, not shown here, was the first to buy FOUR cookies at $5 each, adding the first $50 after Baba Mim added her contribution! In total, we were able to raise $405.00, thanks to our gracious "customer" friends!

Here Rella and Ron Cvetican of West Virginia, who own the  embrace the Serbian beauty from Canada.  Ron was the MOST generous!  He paid $20 for one Nole cookie, and with Baba Mim doubling that, we were able to add $60 to the scholarship pot!  Cousin Paul and his friend Mike, who also purchased our Nole cookies quipped, "I'd think hard and fast every time I bit into THAT cookie!," making us all laugh.

Nole is soooo special!

Mira Zirojevic wrote on Facebook about Nole:  "There was a wonderful article written about him in Serbian:  how he honors our traditions; how he respects the value of family (his whole family celebrated with him on stage in Belgrade); how he respects his elders (like how he greeted the old vendor in his video clip as 'grandfather'). While many young people think our traditions and values from previous generations are old fashioned, he obviously does not.  God bless him, he is our ray of Sunshine!"

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St. Sava's Day Celebration in Aliquippa, PA 2012

Kids practicing their poems for St. Sava's Day on January 29, 2012, one last time before heading over to St. Elijah's Church, learned that their NOLE, Serbia's Novak Djokovic, just beat Spain's Rafael Nadal in five hours and 53 minutes to win a third Australian Open title that day, a new record!

They, too, then went on to give their all, a little more of the "Champion" in each of them than before!  "Nole!  Nole!"  Number #!!

 Before the news @ Djokovic's win, and AFTER!

Here's to you, Nole!  Thanks to you from the American kids of Serbian descent from Aliquippa, PA, USA, for the Victory!

We're ALL so proud of YOU!

And to achieve this on OUR

St. Sava's Day 2012 Celebration was SUPER!

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 Read more from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novak_Djokovic

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Novak's official Home Page:

http://novakdjokovic.com/en/

Novak Djokovic Foundation: Believe in Their Dreams!

http://novakdjokovicfoundation.org/

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Jocey and I were ready to start selling our NOLE cookies to help raise money for the Serb National Federation's Scholarship fund! ;-) Holy Trinity St. Sava's Cemetery in Castle Shannon, PA.

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NOVAK DJOKOVIC APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA FOR UNICEF

8/28/11

http://www.unicef.org/media/media_59671.html

Thanks to Chee-Chee Czubak from Johnstown, PA for sending us this latest news about Novak.  He has been appointed as the UNICEF Serbia Ambassador "to continue his push to defend children’s rights and provide access to early childhood education. The tennis ace is in New York this month competing at the US Open and vying to capture his third Grand Slam title of the year.

“I am very honored to partner with UNICEF to help increase awareness for the importance of early childhood education,” said Djokovic. “I look forward to working with UNICEF to help make a difference in the lives of young children throughout Serbia, particularly those who have fewer opportunities to learn and develop to their full potential.”

“Novak Djokovic is a natural fit for UNICEF,” said Rima Salah, Deputy Executive Director (a.i.). “He cares deeply about the welfare of Serbian children, bringing the same passion and enthusiasm for his career on the court to addressing issues affecting children.”

"Djokovic’s work as a National Ambassador will kick off with a focus on early childhood education. The importance of investing in learning opportunities for young children is well known, with abundant evidence that laying solid foundations in the early years results in better life outcomes for the individual child and society as a whole. This is the case for all children, but even more striking for children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. In Serbia, less than half of all children under-five attend early education programs, dropping to less than one-in-ten for those from vulnerable groups. Expanding early education to include all children is increasingly recognized as a key priority in Serbia. "

"In accepting the appointment, Djokovic said, “Through my work with UNICEF, I want to help Serbian children realize their dreams. I want to help them understand that they have rights and that those rights should be protected. I want them to believe that anything is possible.” 

"Djokovic began playing tennis at age four and made his pro debut at 16. Since then, he has won three Grand Slam singles titles, the 2008 and 2011 Australian Open championships and the 2011 Wimbledon Championship, becoming the first player representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest player in the open era to have reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam events, separately and consecutively. Amongst other major titles, he also won the 2010 Davis Cup."

"UNICEF Ambassadors are well-known and highly respected personalities who promote children’s rights and mobilize support for the work of UNICEF and its partners. In the 50 years since celebrities began working with UNICEF, they have helped sway government policies on behalf of children, publicized children's issues around the globe and raised funds for UNICEF-supported programs.

"About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.  The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.  For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org

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THE Greatest Tennis Player of All Time!

Novak

Djokovic!

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