William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2010-08-01 / 8. szám

For Starters

WPA establishes matching fund to aid flood victims in Hungary

A farm is washed away June 3 by the flooding waters of the Sajo River in Sajokeresztur, about 135 miles northeast of Budapest.

(Photo (c) Sándor H. Szabo/epa/Corbis)

PITTSBURGH — The floods which devastated much of Hungary this May and June left many homeless and left thousands more with severely damaged homes in need of much costly repair. Farmers in the northeastern section of the country saw millions of acres of arable land destroyed, their source of income and their livelihood washed away by a fit of nature.

To help those victimized by the record rainfalls, William Penn Association is appealing to its members and friends for donations to aid in the relief and recovery efforts. WPA will double that aid by matching all donations dollar for dollar, up to $5,000.

"Our hearts go out to all those suffering in Hungary," said Endre Csornán, National Vice President-Fraternal. "Many of those affected are poor farmers who had a hard enough time supporting their families even before the flooding. They need our help."

The need for assistance is great, widespread and immediate.

The problems began in May when record rainfalls swelled rivers and drenched wide areas. In May alone about 8.5 inches of rain fell per square meter, the equivalent of an entire year's worth of rainfall normally. In northeastern Hungary, the level reached a record 10.75 inches per square meter.

The rains continued into June, widening the scope of the disaster.

At one point, more than 27,000 people were working around the clock in some 265 towns trying to build defenses against the rising Danube, Hernad, Sajo anad Boldva rivers. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared a state of emergency in eight of the country's 19 counties. More than 6,000 people were forced to flee their homes during the deluge.

Hardest hit were farmers. Officials estimate about five million acres of farmland were destroyed, causing an estimated 300 million euros (roughly $400 million) damage to the farming sector. Experts predict a drop of between 30 and 40 percent in fruit production, leading to shortages in markets and higher prices.

If you would like to aid those devastated by the flooding, please make your tax-deductible donation payable to "William Penn Association Foundation" and send it to: Hungary Flood Relief, William Penn Association Foundation, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.

All moneys raised through this appeal will be hand delivered by WPA representatives to officials in Hungary working in the hardest hit areas. "We are in contact with government officials there trying to determine where the most help is needed," Mr. Csornán said. "We want to make sure our members donations will go to the people in the greatest need." □

Scholarship Foundation holds annual meetin

BLAIRSVILLE, PA - The William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation held its annual meeting July 16 at the Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort and Conference Center as part of the WPA's 27th Annual Golf Tournament and Scholarship Days.

Those attending the meeting showed their strong support for the Foundation by pledging a total of $7,325 during the meeting. The funds raised during the meeting were part of the $18,964 raised from all the

activities held during the tournament weekend.

Chairman of the Board Stephen J. Varga announced that the Foundation's Spring Appeal had raised more than $13,000. A second appeal will occur in the fall, and WPA plans to mail such appeals to every member household each spring and fall.

In other business, the Foundation elected 13 members of WPA to serve on the Foundation's board of directors. Those members elected by

unanimous vote were: Michele Daley- LaFlame, Thomas F. House, Doug Miller, Gregory G. Nagy, Katherine E. Novak, Zita Prowse, Frank J. Radvany, Jim Robertson, Catharine Ryan, Cassie Schmidt, Mark Schmidt, Carol Truesdell and Becky Williams.

In addition to the 13 elected members, the Scholarship Foundation board of directors consists of the members of the WPA Board of Directors and the WPA National Officers. □

2 0 August 2010 ° William Penn Life