Cardboard Van Becomes Reality: Young Osijek Residents Raise €28,000
A creative campaign by the Student Catholic Center Osijek touched 470 donors who helped 'turn a box into a van.'
A creative campaign by the Student Catholic Center Osijek touched 470 donors who helped 'turn a box into a van.'
In late April 2026, an unusual donation campaign was launched from the Student Catholic Center (SKAC) in Osijek. They had no ready-made van, no marketing budget, and no fundraising experience, but they did have a cardboard box, smartphones, and plenty of enthusiasm. The result exceeded all expectations: they raised just over €28,000, and the symbolic box turned into a real vehicle for volunteer activities.
The campaign, under the slogan "turn a box into a van," won over social media with humorous skits depicting the ups and downs of a cardboard van. The young people from SKAC filmed videos with their phones, acted, edited, and wrote scripts, with everyone contributing what they knew and had. Their authenticity and the joy with which they approached a serious need touched 470 people who decided to support their work.
Earlier this month, in July 2026, SKAC Osijek announced on their social media that the goal had been reached. With the raised funds, they bought a van and covered the costs of servicing, registration, and insurance. Around €3,000 remained, which they immediately directed toward their programs for young people in Slavonia.
"Of course, we wanted to buy a van. That's why we started this story. But in the end, we got something we didn't expect. We got the feeling that you believe in these young people. That you believe that what we're doing makes sense," they said from SKAC Osijek in an emotional thank-you message posted at the end of the campaign, as reported by Bitno.net.
In a lengthy post, they thanked all donors, emphasizing that the trust they received was just as important as the van itself. They admitted that they often wondered if they were doing the right thing and if they were on the right path, and they found their answer through the community's support.
"Four hundred and seventy people said: 'We believe.' We believe it's worth investing in young people. We believe it's worth investing in good. We believe it's worth giving for something that may never return as profit, but will return through people."
The van will be used for volunteer activities, trips to camps, spiritual retreats, and helping families in need. "This isn't just our van. It's yours too," they concluded from SKAC Osijek, adding that they believe God answered their prayers through the donors.
The story of the cardboard van that became a reality shows how creativity, togetherness, and a little faith can push boundaries and open new doors-or, in this case, put good intentions on wheels.
