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.

Our Goal is to provide the most up to date information possible!

Let us know if anything on this site needs updating,
if your group is having an event,
or if you have a news story.

We publish a network of similar sites, The 24/7 News Network.
If your information is about more than 1 of our sites,
we put it on all those sites.

e-mail Information to:
info@manchester247.com

Your Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Item: (Use as much space as you need)

Please Support this Site by Clicking on Our Sponsor's Ads