The humanitarian campaign 'Nema predaje, ni u školi!' collects backpacks, notebooks, and supplies for children from care homes, social welfare institutions, and families with limited means across Croatia.
GNK Dinamo and the Dinamo Foundation 'No Surrender' have once again launched the charitable initiative 'No Surrender, Not Even at School!' to ensure that students from care homes, social welfare institutions, and families with limited incomes across Croatia start the new school year with the necessary supplies.
The initiative was launched for the second consecutive year by Bruno Lerotić and his Team Nenormalni, with the Dinamo Foundation joining last year. At that time, the plan was to equip 800 students, but due to the overwhelming response from citizens, fans, and partners, supplies were ultimately collected for more than 1,800 students, as reported by Prigorski. The Foundation highlighted that last year's response was exceptional, with donations reaching children in eleven cities and around forty smaller towns, which further motivated the organizers to continue the campaign.
The main collection days will be during two Dinamo matches at Maksimir Stadium. The first is against Viking on Tuesday, August 18, and the second against Varaždin on Saturday, August 22. Donations will be accepted in the Dinamo fan zone before both matches, and organizers are calling on all fans to show solidarity at that time.
In addition, school supplies can also be brought to the Days of Maksimir event, held from August 19 to 23 at the sports field of XV Gymnasium, MIOC, as well as to the 'I Live My Dream' tournament organized by ŽNK Dinamo, which takes place on Sunday, August 23 at the NK Ban Jelačić grounds in Vukovina. These locations have been added to allow as many people as possible to participate, regardless of match schedules.
The campaign collects school backpacks, either new or used but clean, undamaged, and without drawings. Also sought are pencil cases and school supplies such as pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and rulers that must be functional, as well as art supplies, including crayons, markers, tempera paints, and brushes. Notebooks of all formats are also collected. The organizers note that supplies can be used but must be in working condition.
The organizers emphasize that it is not necessary to donate a full backpack with supplies; even a single item, such as a notebook, pencil case, pack of crayons, or pencils, is sufficient. They request that each package be labeled with the intended recipient, for example, 'girl, 5th grade elementary school' or 'boy, 2nd grade high school.' This facilitates distribution and ensures that each child receives exactly what they need.
Packages can be delivered in person or sent by mail to: Darija Drnić, Ulica Slavka Kolara 18, Kuče, 10419 Vukovina. The official GNK Dinamo Twitter profile also posted a message: 'A pencil case, pencil, notebook, or backpack - to us it's a small thing, to someone it's everything,' along with the campaign slogan 'No Surrender, Not Even at School!' This message further underscores the importance of every donation, no matter how small.
Last year, donations reached children in Zagreb, Cres, Karlovac, Osijek, Petrinja, Pula, Sisak, Slavonski Brod, Split, Vodnjan, and Zadar, as well as in around forty villages and smaller towns. The organizers say that every donation helps the common goal of equipping as many students as possible before the start of the new school year on September 7. They emphasize that last year's experience showed that unity can achieve remarkable results and they hope to be even more successful this year.
Additional information is available via email at [email protected] and on the social media channels of the Dinamo Foundation 'No Surrender.' Those interested can also reach out with any questions about how to donate or pick up packages, and the organizers will gladly provide all necessary instructions.
