Rising Up to Relieve Refugees

The worn, desperate faces of the Kosovo refugees have touched the hearts of many Americans, including the leaders of two area organizations who are raising money for relief efforts.

Prompted by president-elect Stephen Veres who 42 years ago fled Communist Hungary and spent several months in a refugee camp in Korneuburg, Austria, the Kiwanis Club of Burbank is accepting donations for Kosovo relief.

“Unless you lived under those conditions, you’ll never understand the pain and agony the Kosovo refugees are suffering,” said Veres, a longtime Burbank resident.

Veres has kicked off the club’s fund-raising drive with a $500 donation, in addition to $100 from his son, Rob.

The group plans to collect donations for about a month before sending them to the Red Cross. Checks should be made payable to the American Red Cross (indicate “Kosovo relief” in memo section), and mailed to Stephen Veres, in care of Burbank Sportscards, 3001 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank 91505.

Also collecting funds is the Studio City Residents Assn., which at a meeting Tuesday will ask members to pull out their checkbooks and make a donation to the American Red Cross’ Kosovo relief efforts.

While the association has sponsored local fund-raisers, it has never had one for an international cause.

“We felt it was important enough for us to get involved,” said board member Richard Groll. “Whatever we can raise will be very important to the Kosovo cause.”

The group hopes to collect $5,000, including $1,000 from the association coffers and personal donations from board members, said president Tony Lucente.

The idea for the fund-raiser came from member Jack McGrath, who hopes it will inspire other organizations to do the same.

“I hope we can start something going with other parts of the city,” he said.

The public meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford Ave., Studio City.