Japan Donates to Waldo Canyon Fire Efforts
On Saturday, at the Everybody Welcome: Mountain Festival, 50th Anniversary Sister City Celebration, the people of Fujiyoshida, Japan extended their good will with a donation toward the Waldo Canyon Fire relief efforts. Thousands of Colorado Springs residents came out for the festival at America the Beautiful Park and were joined by about 70 visitors from Fujiyoshida.
As part of the festivities, Shigero Horiuchi, the mayor of Fujiyoshida, spoke of the growing bond between the two cities, and of their sadness and fear at seeing the fires on TV. After presenting a check for $11,417 to Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach, both mayors then ceremoniously presented the check to Colorado Springs Together in support of the fire recovery effort.
Mayor Bach will also be presenting the check to the Mountain Shadows Community on August 11, 2012 at the Mountain Shadows Concert.
Coordinator for International Relations at Fujiyoshida City Hall, Robin Lawrentz, stated that "The moment the fire became real was when we learned that the Flying W Ranch had burned, which was host to many of our fond memories." In fact, they had planned on dining at the ranch during their time here for the 50th anniversary celebration.
Fujiyoshida and Colorado Springs have been Sister Cities since 1962 because of numerous similarities. Colorado Springs has supported Fujiyoshida through several tragedies. Most recently, in 2011 after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, Colorado Springs donated more than $47,000.
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Colorado Springs Together is an independent 501(c)(3) Non-Profit
Colorado Springs Together is a community-driven volunteer effort, and is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The team members are distinguished citizens and business professionals in the community facilitating and coordinating a quick and effective rebuilding process for the neighborhoods devastated on June 26th by the fire. The donations received will go towards the activities required to help restore the lives and the neighborhoods affected by the fire at the same time maintaining a strong sense of community during the rebuilding process.
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