August 2025 A Gift on Wheels – And a Vision That Rolls On
The Charitable Foundation for Religious Welfare (VDS) of the Timok Diocese is blessed to announce the arrival of a new delivery vehicle — a Peugeot cargo van valued at €10,000 — generously donated by the humanitarian organization “Our Serbs” based in Chicago. This much-needed vehicle will greatly enhance the work of the VDS across the Diocese, allowing faster, more efficient delivery of food, clothing, and aid to individuals and families in need. It will also assist in collecting vital donations from remote and often overlooked areas.
His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion of Timok, president of the diocesan VDS, offered prayers and blessings for the new vehicle during a special service held on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
But this is more than just a donation — it is a glimpse into the broader, transformative mission of Our Serbs, an organization that is steadily becoming a lifeline of hope across Serbia.
Under the leadership of founder and president Mrs. Kathy Fanslow, Our Serbs has laid the foundation for a future rich with possibility. With faith-driven determination, this organization is not only providing immediate relief — but projects that have included:
Their projected efforts include:
• Building safe homes for families struggling with poverty in rural and war-affected regions
• Delivering transportation — from vans for diocesan outreach
• Equipping students with modern educational technology to bridge the digital divide in under-resourced communities so they can complete course work to a better future.
• Providing food, stoves, and essential appliances to struggling households to restore dignity and basic quality of life
• Partnering with local clergy to ensure every project is rooted and based on community and family needs and built to last.
These initiatives reflect the Gospel in action — compassion made visible, Christ’s love embodied.
As we thank God for generous gifts used to purchase what it needed and look ahead to greater things and opportunities to help others, we offer heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Kathy Fanslow and the entire Our Serbs family. Their work reminds us of the power of faith when joined with action, and how one gift can open a road to many blessings.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.”
(Matthew 25:40)