Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund

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Members invited to assist with Moravian rebuilding

On Thursday afternoon, June 24, a tornado swept through several villages in the south-eastern Moravian region of the Czech Republic, ripping the roofs off buildings, uprooting trees, and overturning cars. At least five people were killed and hundreds injured by the rare and destructive tornado. The twister destroyed thousands of structures, tearing through seven towns and villages in the southeast part of the country, making this the most severe on record in the area. Damage commensurated with EF3 to EF4 intensity on the 0 to 5 Enhanced Fujita scale for tornado strength. That would place maximum wind speeds in the 140 to 180 mph range.

Radio Prague reported on June 25 said that financial as well as material aid is pouring into South Moravian villages hit by the devastating tornado. While the government has allocated emergency funds to cover immediate needs, caring individuals have already donated millions of crowns to public collections set up by the country’s non-governmental support organizations.

Closer to home, Americans are learning of the destruction and are asking what they can do in order to show their solidarity and support for their distant motherland whose residents are now suffering and who must begin what promises to be a lengthy rebuilding process. Texans, especially, remember that it was not so long ago that it was the Czech Republic that showed compassion and support for the people of Texas when disaster struck.

In 2013, the Czech Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented four million crowns — approximately $200,000 — to the city of West, Texas for rebuilding following the massive explosion of a fertilizer warehouse that occurred in that Central Texas community. Four years later, in 2017, the Czech Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved the provision of five million Czech Crowns — approximately $237,000 — for humanitarian assistance to displaced families in La Grange, Texas in response to Hurricane Harvey. The gifts demonstrated the Czech Republic’s dedication and solidarity with the United States and especially Texans, where Texans of Czech Moravian ancestry represent a large part of the population.

Individuals and organizations wishing to offer assistance may make their tax-deductible donations to:

Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund c/o The SPJST Foundation P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503

The SPJST Foundation

The Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides assistance to projects of redeeming value, especially those which embrace Czech heritage and culture.

Donors may also make their gifts online on Facebook at this link: (8) Facebook.

“Facebook was selected as our primary donor site as Facebook pays all of the processing fees, enabling100 percent of the monies collected will go to the cause,” says Foundation President and Honorary Czech Consul Brian Vanicek. Every individual and group donor will be recognized. The funds will be retained until such time it can be determined where they can be most effectively utilized.

“As Texans of Czech ancestry we have a deep and enduring need to be connected with our Czech homeland. The Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund will help us to make that connection. We will stay in touch with our friends and contacts throughout the region,” says Vanicek.

“To that end, The SPJST Foundation’s Facebook page will provide regular updates of how the situation is progressing.” —SPJST— Donation Total as of August 6, 2021: $27,087

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