XIII Annual Festa sv. Vlaha 2004

January 31, 2004

PROGRAM

MCs: Mark Artukovich and Nicole Hazdovac

6:00 PM Holy Mass - Don Ivica Babić
6:30 PM Social Hour
7:30 PM Opening Ceremony
Procession of Sv. Vlaho Flag.
Welcome by “Festanjuli” of 2004
Mariella Voorhees and Mate Carić

National Anthems
Blessing: Don Mate Bižaca

Dinner

8:30 PM St. Anthony’s Kolo Group “Croatia”

Acknowledgement, Niko Hazdovac
President, Libertas Foundation
Introduction of guests of Honor:
Sanja Bujas Juraga
Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Los Angeles
His excellency Dr. Ivan Grdešić
Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the United States

Concert/Dance
TRIO IZ GRADA
Mario, Srđan & Antun
DUO ADRIATIC

January 31, 2004

Dear Friends:

WELCOME to the annual Sv.Vlaho - St.Blaise celebration and fundraising event!

First, we would like to thank St.Anthony's Parish, the sponsors and all the volunteers for their hard work, dedication and contribution to make this great celebration possible. Special thanks goes out to the hard working Chefs and kitchen staff that prepares delicious home style dinner year after year.

Special salute to all our distinguished guests that are present here tonight and all of all of you that have become regular supporters and have made our "festa" one of the premiere event in Croatian-American community of Southern California.

We would also like to report that our scholarship fund "Ante and Evelyn Mrgudic", which awards financially challenged students money to attend local trade schools, awarded five deserving students $1,000 each in Dubrovnik this past August.

Another project we supported alongside the Rotary Club, Wheelchair Foundation and the Croatian community was the donation of 240 brand new wheelchairs. These wheelchairs were delivered and distributed to needy people all over Croatia in August and September of last year.
Thru Knin Fund co-chiared by Vladimir Lonza and Tony Golem, we are pleased to report that 17000 kilos of flour was purchased and delivered to Caritas Knin this past Christmas.

The celebration of Sv.Vlaho is over a thousand years old tradition in Dubrovnik and in many places around the world. We urge you to get involved and preserve our Croatian rich cultural heritage and tradition and not only to keep it alive for ourselves, but to pass the torch of "Libertas" to the future generations. In this area we have many Craoatian-American organization doing great job such as United Hercegovina Catholic Benevolent Society, Zadarsko Drustvo, Konavosko Dobrotvorno Drustvo, St. Nicholas Patron of Komiza, Benevolent Society - Sv. Duje, St.Anthony's Kolo Group Croatia and many others.

It has been very encouraging to see the involvement and support by our youth, who are getting involved in many ways, becoming members and leaders of the Croatian Sport Club of Los Angeles, and the Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles in San Pedro. Also, individuals such as Nenad Bach, Brenda Brkusic and Ziggy Mrkich should be commended for doing outstanding work in promoting Croatia through music and film. It is because of this type of involvement and dedication that traditions are preserved and carried on. You can find more information on their work in this Souvenir Book.
Letís support every individual and organization and each other in any way we can for the common benefit of all of us.

Together we can achieve many great things that will make us all proud of our heritage and contribution of Croatian people to this great country of U.S.A and never forgetting our Croatian homeland.

In the name of Sv.Vlaho Committee, we sincerely thank each and everyone of you present here tonight for your dedication, generosity and friendship.

May Sv.Vlaho bless you all.
___________________________
Niko Hazdovac, President
Libertas Foundation

Niko Hazdovac
President
Libertas Foundation

Tony Bendewish
"Ante & Evelyn Mrgudic"
Scholarship Fund

Libertas Foundation is a non-political, non-profit, humanitarian organization and all contribution are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

STUDENTS
WHO RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2003

1. Stijepo Mage
2. Ivan Zec
3. Mišo Tepšić
4. Jozo Ćupuć
5. Josip Kurelja