For the third year in a row, the Rotary Club of Kaštela organized a donation ball at the Spinnaker restaurant in Marina Kaštela, where a large number of people from the public and private sectors of the Split-Dalmatia County gathered. Donations and a painting auction raised funds for the final renovation of the Maestral Home, and fundraising continues for educational and therapeutic equipment for the children of beneficiaries Miljenko and Dobrila, a branch of the Maestral Center.
The donation ball, like the previous two years, brought together a large number of kind-hearted people, thanks to whose help the children have better living and working conditions in the area they live in. The gathered guests enjoyed the special program with excellent entertainment provided by the Bravo band and performances by Dalmatin and Zrinka, as well as Izabela Martinović.
So far, one hundred thousand euros have been raised since the beginning of this humanitarian campaign. Two hundred square meters of the attic of the Maestral Center, Miljenko and Dobrila branches, have been renovated, and only a little is left to provide the children with equipment and furniture. A video has been prepared showing what the attic looked like before the renovation, how the work has progressed, what the space looks like now, and what it will look like when it is fully renovated.
- These actions mean a lot to us, not only in a financial sense, but also in a spiritual sense of connection and togetherness that shows that we are not alone. Our children are not alone, the community cares for them, and that is the strongest message that comes from projects like this – emphasized Ivna Grubišić, head of the Miljenko and Dobrila branch.
The highlight of the evening was a silent auction of paintings painted by children, beneficiaries of the Maestral Home. As a token of gratitude, the children of Maestral showed that in addition to their talent for painting, they also have a talent for dancing, and prepared a dance number for the audience.
- Tonight we will present the results of what kind-hearted people have done in the last two years, which is the complete renovation of the two hundred square meters of the attic of the Miljenko and Dobrila home. This is the final evening related to the renovation. We are now raising funds for didactic equipment and therapeutic equipment for the children who are beneficiaries of Miljenko and Dobrila, a branch of the Maestral Center, but also for their friends from various homes in Croatia who use this attic when they come on vacation in the summer. The paintings offered at the silent auction tonight are the works of the children of the Home's beneficiaries, and they were offered as their contribution to our campaign and we are extremely proud of them - said the president of the Kaštela Rotary Club Martina Radić-Šunjić.
Among the guests at the donation ball was Head of Social Activities Antonia Kljaić, who invited everyone to respond to this humanitarian action and help and cheer up children, especially now in the pre-holiday season.
- Advent is about to begin, one of the most beautiful times of the year that absolutely everyone looks forward to, especially our youngest. The Rotary Club, in cooperation with the City of Kaštela and other benefactors, has been organizing this humanitarian ball for many years, at which a donation dinner is held, where all donations made go to the Miljenko and Dobrila Home. I invite all those who may not have responded this time to respond in the future, because what is more beautiful than a child's smile? I hope that we will also raise significant funds tonight, thanks to which we will be able to cheer them up, especially during this holiday season - said Kljaić.
This donation ball was also a thank you to Dalmatian large and small entrepreneurs, the Split-Dalmatia County, the City of Kaštela and numerous people with good and noble hearts who were part of this commendable project.
Photo: Ivana Topic
