CZECH&SLOVAK MUSEUM & LIBRARY IN CEDAR RAPIDS NEEDS HELP!

Washington, DC/Spring House, PA:
American Friends of the Czech Republic (AFoCR) has established a flood relief fund in order to collect donations for the Czech and Slovak National Museum and Library (NCSML) that has been inundated and seriously damaged by the recent floods along the normally peaceful and picturesque banks of the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in mid-June.

Based on reports from Ms. Gail Naughton, NCSML President and AFoCR board member, the good news is that so far there has been no loss of life and many items were removed in trailers prior to the flood. The bad news, however, is that furnishings and remaining items in the Museum suffered serious damage, as did books and other printed materials remaining in the Library. The damage to the facility and its contents is now being assessed.

As it did in 2002 during the historic floods in the Czech Republic, AFoCR has set up a separate bank account for the sole purpose of collecting funds to help the NCSML operation for the time when it gets back on its feet.

Everyone's support at this critical time is needed -- and appreciated.

Because AFoCR is legally recognized by the IRS as exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) and described as a public charity under section 509(a)(1) of the IRS of 1986, contributions to this worthy effort are tax exempt. Checks should be made out to: AFoCR-Cedar Rapids Czech and Slovak Museum Flood Relief. Please mail to: AFoCR-Cedar Rapids Flood Relief, c/o Harleysville National Bank, 1804 North Broad Street, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA.

For wiring instructions and other questions please write to Philadelphia@honorary.mzv.cz or call 215.646.7777.