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News
Elkader
Receives Unique Flood Relief Donation
Posted 1 July 2008
Elkader has been anticipating the commemoration of their association
with the Country of Algeria and their Sister City of Mascara with a
“Celebration of Community Spirit and Algerian Sister Cities Friendship”
this weekend.
On June 8, the plans were set aside to fight for the life of the city
as a record setting flood reached 30.9 feet which engulfed the southern
half of the community.
In the true spirit of friendship, Algerian President Abdelaziz
Bouteflika said in his message to the people of Elkader, “We grieve
with all the families of Elkader who have suddenly become homeless or
have lost their livelihoods and express our deep sympathy as well as
our admiration for the way that it is facing adversity with the pioneer
spirit of dedicated volunteers and of community solidarity.” President
Bouteflika continues to say, “The people of Algeria stand with you
today and likewise express solidarity and support to the town and
people of Elkader.” This is the first time Elkader has received a
message directly from a Head of State.
“The good faith efforts in sustaining cultural and educational
communications and exchanges with our Sister City Mascara have been
substantial and have created solid bridges of peace between the two
communities and also between the United States and Algerian
governments,” according to Kathy Garms, President of the Elkader Sister
Cities Friendship Club. Kathy and her husband Keith were recent guests
of the Algerian government as a result of the Sister Cities
relationship where Kathy was invited to be a presenter at the
prestigious Council of Nation (Algerian Senate)/Emir Abdelkader Human
Rights Seminar in Algiers. Emir Abdelkader was the chivalrous leader of
Algeria (1832-1847) whose love for freedom inspired the Founding
Fathers of Elkader to give his name to their community. While in
Algeria, Kathy and Keith visited Elkader’s Sister City Mascara where
they set up lines of communication for Elkader to share and to learn
with their Algerian friends across the globe.
Kathy Garms informed Randy Frank, Clayton County Disaster Relief
Committee Administrator, that President Bouteflika’s message to the
people of Elkader was followed by his gift of $150,000 from the Country
of Algeria to the Clayton County Disaster Relief Committee to assist
exclusively in the recovery of the citizens of Elkader to put their
community together again.
At the July 5th Celebration, the Honorable Mayor Bob Garms will present
to Ambassador Kherbi a letter from the people of Elkader to His
Excellency Abdelaziz Bouteflika expressing gratitude for the personal
sympathy and encouragement he wrote to them and for his generous
donation.
“The humanitarian efforts of the government of Algeria without any
doubt are genuine and sincere”, Randy Frank, Clayton County Disaster
Relief Committee Administrator said, “They have expressed their concern
and support in many ways.”
Elkader’s “Celebration of Community Spirit and Algerian Sister Cities
Friendship” will be held as scheduled on July 5, 2008 with the honored
guest Ambassador Amine Kherbi of the People’s Democratic Republic of
Algeria to the United States. Ambassador Kherbi will participate in the
program at the Elkader Opera House followed by the Ambassador’s
Reception and Recognition Dinner at Schera’s Restaurant. The public is
invited.
For additional information on the Celebration of Communities, contact
Kathy Garms at 563.245.1022.
Clayton County sustained over $10 million in damage from the 2008
Floods. Additional donations are still needed to assist the individual
recovery. Donations can be made to the Clayton County Disaster Recovery
Committee at P.O. 48, St. Olaf, IA 52072.
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