GOOD PEOPLE campaign: Žuja donates HRK one million to Croatian associations and initiatives

Favorite Croatian beer, Ožujsko pivo by Zagrebačka pivovara, launches a new socially responsible campaign "Good People" and will donate HRK one million to the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, Plavi telefon, Fond 5.5 and the Croatian Homeless Network, associations and the foundation whose initiatives and activities during the recent, crisis, months unreservedly helped those who needed help. The new campaign is a kind of thanks to all doctors, nurses, rescuers, volunteers, humanitarians, climbers, construction workers, wardens, members of the army and police, and all other unknown people who show us the true face of human kindness in times of big challenges.

"The crises that have hit Croatia, but also the rest of the world, have greatly affected our lives. Individuals, mostly volunteers, who work in various associations and initiatives, often put smiles on our faces with their actions, often out of the public eye. In these difficult times that forced us to hide in our houses and apartments, we had the opportunity to get to know human kindness through the deeds of unsung heroes who cared for the health and safety of all of us for the benefit of the whole society. They left their homes and put their lives to danger to save others. This campaign is an ode to their superhuman strength. The donation is just one of the ways how to tell them - we are here for you," said Ana Štebih Pinjuh, Marketing Director of Zagrebačka pivovara for Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How will associations use the donations?

HGSS, which helped people in remote areas during the corona crisis, will mostly spend Žuja's donation on the Dragan Špehar - Špehar Training Center in Starigrad Paklenica. There, in addition to regular trainings for HGSS members, they hold professional seminars and meetings with colleagues from the region and the world. "During summer, the center is the place where rescuers who are on duty around the clock in the Paklenica National Park are always available in case of an accident. We will replace worn-out furniture, buy rescue equipment, make canopies, equip storage space ... We are grateful to Zagrebačka pivovara for recognizing our efforts and including us in its campaign," said Petar Prpić from the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service.

Plavi telefon will use the donation to continue the work of the Association, i.e., to prevent its closure. "We will use the donated funds to digitalize the Helpline, technically equip the Association, educate new volunteers, hire at least four trained psychotherapists to work in the Open Doors counseling center for individual, family, and partnership counseling, e-mail counseling, and volunteer supervision. If it weren't for this donation, Plavi telefon would not exist anymore, so it is difficult to express the feelings in words", said the president of Plavi telefon Miroslav Vučenović.

During the coronavirus pandemic and after the devastating earthquake in Zagreb, the homeless were again one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Every person living on the street has a tough and long road ahead to integrate into the community where they need the support of all sectors, including this form of support like Žuja's. "We are grateful that Žuja recognized our needs to improve existing and develop new services for the most socially excluded group of our fellow citizens and that it recognized the efforts and dedication of employees and volunteers working to protect and exercise their rights, integration, and social inclusion," said the vice president of the Homeless Network Zvonko Mlinar and pointed out that they will use the donation to buy equipment, devices, and small inventory for shelters and lodgings, winter survival kits and to adapt the Center for the Homeless in Karlovac and to adapt or share in rent of the Center and support for the homeless of the Croatian Homeless Network.

Vulnerable groups were taken care of by Fond 5.5, which was founded by the SOLIDARNA Foundation and Zagreb Earthquake Relief after the Zagreb earthquake, an initiative of five Zagreb women with an address in the Netherlands, which supported 48 most vulnerable households affected by the earthquake through a public tender. "The goal of our further campaigns is to help rebuild the homes of further 31 families who belong to the most endangered group of citizens of the City of Zagreb, and that is why we are happy because of this donation from Žuja. I am extremely happy to be able to dedicate my professional life to helping others in my community, and I thank Žuja for recognizing us as a transparent organization worthy of support," said Ivan Blažević, Secretary of SOLIDARNA Foundation.

Zagrebačka pivovara is a responsible partner of the community in which it operates

Žuja's big campaign "Good people" is the crown of all activities that Zagrebačka pivovara has carried out in recent months. It donated large quantities of its isotonic drink - Hydra to people in the field, financially helped in the fight against coronavirus and the recovery of Zagreb after the earthquake, and through the campaign "Health Rules" emphasized health as a priority.

"We believe that now is the right time to honor the heroes of the crisis in this way. Volunteers of associations and initiatives involved in our campaign are known throughout Croatia as the first line of defense in various difficult situations, and thousands of people received their help. With this donation, we would like to thank them for all the good deeds they have done for all of us over the years, especially in the epidemiological crisis and after the earthquake. We at Zagrebačka pivovara are aware of our role and responsibilities in society, and it is important for us to be a positive example and a responsible partner in the community in which we operate. That is why we have been supporting many cultural, sports, and non-governmental institutions for years to improve the quality of life in the community. The period behind us once again confirms that there are many wonderful and good people around us. As long as we are here for each other, everything will be fine", concluded Diana Jokić, Corporate Communications Manager of Zagrebačka pivovara.

Citizens can get involved in the "Good People" campaign in two ways: by donating funds to associations and initiatives, or by applying to volunteer in one of the organizations. You can also donate via the Keks Pay app in just a few clicks.

The web page dobriljudi.ozujsko.com gives all the information how to take part and how to get in touch with associations and initiatives. You can view the new campaign dedicated to all our heroes here.