Thank you for your continued interest in the renovation of the St. Mardarije Spiritual and Cultural Center. September 2025 has been a significant fundraising month, with $410,000+ collected!
Project Funding
St. Sava Monastery gave seed money of $1 million for this project. Donations and brick sales to-date are just over $592,000.
Combining the seed money with donations, 26.5% of project costs (total project cost: $6 million) have been collected.
In addition to funds collected, there are pledged donations totaling $1,945,000. These pledges total 32.4% of project costs.
Between funds collected and pledges, the renovation project sits at 58.9% of projected needed funds.
Fundraising Updates
The following individuals, churches and organizations have donated over $5,000 to this endeavor:
- Sam and Alex Starcevich — $250,000
- Brian and Tina Less — $100,000
- St. George SOC, Schererville, IN — $51,836
- Donald and Milica Pogorzelski — $50,000
- St. Elijah SOC, Merrillville, IN — $50,000
- Steve and Laura Koruna — $25,000
- +Ljubica Dobrilovic Family Trust — $10,000
- Our Serbs — $5,000
We are thankful to our donors for helping us get this project off the ground. There are an additional 117 donors that have given from $15 to $2,659. May God bless you all for your generosity.
Parish Involvement
The committee has visited 15 parishes to share information about the project and the plans.
As previously reported, several parishes have blessed us with donations: St. Elijah in Merrillville, IN, St. George in Schererville, IN, St. Luke the Apostle, and a mission parish in Leander, TX gave $1,000.
We pray that other parishes will also participate in this project to renovate the St. Mardarije Spiritual and Cultural Center.
Some parishes also had a special “tas” to support the project on September 7, 2025:
- St. George, Schererville collected $1,836
- St. Basil, Lake Forest collected $508
Well done and thank you!
St. George, Joliet, IL, and St. Sava, Milwaukee have all pledged significant amounts.
We are still scheduling with other parishes in the Diocese. Be on the lookout for an introductory email! Or be proactive and contact us at stsavarenovation@gmail.com.
Sponsor the Build
There is much excitement around sponsoring/naming of rooms. To date the following sponsorships have been received:
- Kitchen
- Conference room
- 3 dorm rooms
- 4 office/multi-purpose rooms
- 2 studio/konak rooms
Project Updates
We recently learned from the General Contractor on this project that permit approval is pending and we should have great news later this week. Looking forward to being able to break ground in the near term.
Fundraising Events
Marko Niketic Foundation 5K Walk/Run
- Date: October 12, 2025
- Location: Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Chicago
- The Foundation has generously dedicated all proceeds to the renovation project.
- We sincerely thank the family of +Marko Niketic and continue to keep them in our prayers.
👉 Information and registration can be found here »
St. Sava Camp Reunion
- Date: October 18, 2025
- A celebration of the project, memories, and fundraising for the future.
- Entry fee: $50 (under 18 free).
- RSVP: Kaca Popovic at kaca070@yahoo.com
Donor Challenge at Camp Reunion
An anonymous donor is challenging all former campers: Every $1 collected will be matched with $2 (up to $400,000).
Make your donation count twice as much!
Stay Connected
- Follow us on Facebook: @SaintSavaMonastery
- Visit: stsavamonastery.org for project updates, online donations, and other ways to support.
- A Donor Wall will soon be unveiled on the website listing donations collected to-date.
To donate by check:
St. Sava Monastery
PO BOX 519
Libertyville, IL 60048
Payable to: St. Sava Monastery
Memo: Camp Renovation
Please keep this project in your prayers and help support this renovation.
With Christ’s Blessings,
+Serafim
Bishop of Kostajnica and
Vicar of the New Gracanica–Midwestern American Diocese of the S.O.C.
Project Lead and Chair, Executive Committee
for the St. Mardarije Spiritual & Cultural Center