Defying all obstacles to deliver happiness to children's hearts

For several years, Milan Maksimovic and his family have been preparing and distributing gifts and hampers to the needy, especially new Assyrian Chaldean refugees, aiming to bring happiness to their lives during the festive season and other occasions.

Milan and Hilda Maksimovic with their son Christian. Credit: Milan .jpg

Key Points

• Fifteen hundred gifts were distributed last year
• Eighty per cent of the receipients are Assyrian Chaldean refugees
• Inflation have put pressure on the operation of the organisation

Mr Maksimovic is a Serbian-born human rights activist and his wife, Hilda, an Assyrian, have been packing and distributing gifts, food and toys to the needy Since 2016.

Mr Maksimovic (right) at the Chaldean Catholic Church during gift distribution. Credit: Milan.Jpg

Inflation has put enormous pressure on our operation, yet we are still managing to do what we do best.

Milan Maksimovic

Mr Maksimovic and his wife Hilda established Milan Hilda Care Incorporated, a charity organisation to help needy refugees who have recently arrived in Australia.

Excited children receive their gifts.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down its activities due to lockdowns and other restrictions, Mr Maksimovic said.

However, with police permission, the group still managed to travel around Sydney to deliver aid to needy people.

Mr Maksimovic told SBS Assyrian that Milan Hilda Care Incorporated had been impacted by inflation and price rises.

Nevertheless, it had still managed to deliver 1500 presents through five different churches to families and children from Fairfield to Mount Druitt, he said.

Mr Maksimovic said: "Just yesterday, 15 December, we managed to deliver 50 women's handbags filled with toiletries around the Fairfield area and this year, we are preparing to deliver around 200 presents to children.'

Some of the beautifully wrapped presents ready for delivery. Credit: Milan.jpg

Mr Maksimovic said that around 80 per cent of the people they dealt with were refugees from Assyrian and Chaldean communities.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, the group also served the Serbian and the general Australian communities, he said.

“The reason for this increase in demand is that the organisation's contact details are listed at Food Banks," Mr Maksimovic said.

The founder of Milan Hilda Care, Mr Maksimovic, said: “We are continuously planning for our future operation and just recently, we had a meeting with our volunteers, who are all excited to get back to work.”

These smiles speak volumes about the group's work in refugee and other communities. Credit: Milan.jpg

Mr Maksimocic said, "the group's suppliers had recently reduced their discounts such way now we are paying fifty per cent of the market price and sometimes the full price."

"That puts a lot of pressure on our operations,” he said.

The organisation's activities are not limited to distributing hampers and toys.

"The group started organising other activities, such as a cupcake decorating competition, which had proved very successful among children and their parents.", Mr Maksimovic.

Finally, Mr Maksimovic thanked SBS Assyrian for being one of the group's biggest supporters throughout the years and also the Assyrian Chaldean communities for their support.