The History

The mass immigration of Serbian political immigrants to the United States began in the spring of 1949 and continued in the following years. Arriving in a brand new world Serbians did not forget their brothers who remained in German, Italian and Austrian camps and hospitals. The first humanitarian aid was organized in southern Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the spring of 1949. In July of the same year the humanitarian organization Fraternal Aid was founded with 25 members. Their membership fee was only, but still sufficient income. At the same time Mr. Milutin Lilic organized, in Chicago, a fund to Help Brothers in Europe. An appeal was sent to all newly arrived Serbs to join this humanitarian action. The founding assembly was held on June 17, 1950 in the monastery of St. Sava in Libertyville. The founding of Serbian Brothers Help was sponsored by the great Serbian clergyman, Bishop Zicki Dr. Nikolaj Velimirovic, who give it the name.

Serbian Brothers help is a national humanitarian, non-political organization which was available to the entire Serbian community which was in exile. The patriotic Serbs performed their humanitarian duty towards their brothers and sisters who were in need.
The Association is managed by the Serbian Brothers Help Board as a legislative and executive body headed by a president. The founding assembly elected Mr. Major Milutin P. Lilic as the first president.

The supreme and legislative body of the organization is the central board of Serbian Brothers Help members. The work of the board for Serbian Brothers Help is based on the rules of the organization, which are prescribed, adopted and can be changed only by the assembly of the members. The rules are printed and are available to all members and friends of the organization. All duties and functions for Serbian Brothers Help are voluntary and without material reward.

The organization was to be registered with the US authorities but since none of the members were yet  US citizens at the time of the creation of the organization Mr. Lilic addressed three American lawyers, who were friends of the organization, who helped obtain the proper work permits to register the organization on May 17, 1951.  The organization was registered in the state of Illinois under number 11531.

Serbian Brothers Help not only has the status of a non-profit organization, but on August 21, 1964 the Federal Government granted it the status of a Charitable Organization which opened new opportunities for humanitarian work.

In 1950, the coat of arms and the Serbian Brothers Help symbol was created. The four corners of the badge represent the four corners of the world to which the war has scattered Serbian fighters, and the red cross in its middle is a sign of mercy.

In 1953 Serbian Brothers Help day of celebration was established, conceived and implemented as a gathering of all members and friends of the organization which is celebrated during the first week of August.

True to the tradition of the people to which it belongs, in 1953 Serbian Brothers Help established its Patron Saints.  Serbian Brothers Helps Patron Saints Day is on February 15, Sretenje Gospodnje which symbolically marks the meeting of old and new emigration and is a symbol of Christian and humanitarian work.

During the first eight months of the organization's existence, 11 chapters were established and the number of members increased to 628. By mid - 1951 there were already 20 chapters and 1,200 members in seven American states. By 1954 with the establishment of a chapter in Canada the number of members increased to 2,200.

In 1954 with the initiative from the Milwaukee chapter, the Youth of Serbian Brothers Help was created. The goal of this part of the organization was to organize and prepare the youth for future humanitarian work, to nurture, develop and spread brotherly love and harmony and to educate young people about national and cultural heritage.

In 1969, a large estate was bought in Lake Villa, IL and given the name Serbian Village. At that time Serbian Brothers Help had about 1,500 members who assisted with contributions and voluntary work. In 1970 a facility with a banquet hall, kitchen and ancillary rooms was built on the property residing in Lake Villa. The idea of ​​the president, which was accepted by the members of the organization, was that the property with a banquet hall could generate income by renting facilities and it would certainly be a place to celebrate holidays and for members gathering.  A large charity event in 1971 raised enough money and the loan to purchase the land and build the banquet hall was repaid. In less than two years, the property was owned 100% by Serbian Brothers Help!

The sports section of the organization was created in 1972. As soccer was a favorite sport among Serbian people, it was natural for a soccer club to be established the first. The initial team was named United Serbs but the Americans called it "US 72". The club started competing in the Third Division of the National League of Chicago, but the following season it took the championship title and moved to the Second Division. Again champions, they moved to the First Division of the National League.

In 1990, the players built two soccer fields on the property of Serbian Brothers Help, and in 2000 the Youth Section added one more team, Morava from Lake Vila. On the weekends during the summer, the football fields, where soccer games were held, were full of supporters.

In the first 10 years of its existence, Serbian Brothers Help collected over $ 750,000 and distributed it to others in need. In 5 decades of its work, Serbian Brothers Help has set aside 2 million dollars to take care of over 5,500 Serbs in need around the world. After the death of its founders, the Serbian Brothers Help continued to send money to maintain their graves.

During the last war and the NATO bombing in 1999, when Serbian Brothers Help in America was prevented from sending aid to the homeland, the organization in Canada was very active. They sent large quantities of drugs, medical equipment and expensive medical devices to hospitals in Serbia and Republika Srpska.

The SBP in Canada stood out in 1999 in raising the awareness of Canadian and American citizens about the events in the homeland.