Hrusky Mayor Jana Filipovicova indicated that the funds would be used to help restore cultural life in the community by making repairs to the city facilities and play areas where public events such as the traditional Bartholomew Feast, Christmas and other social gatherings take place.  The presentation was made via a trans-Atlantic Zoom connection on January 6.  

On the evening of June 24, 2021, a rare violent and deadly multiple-vortex tornado struck several villages in the Hodonín and Břeclav districts of the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, killing six people and injuring at least 200 others.  The tornado struck seven municipalities, with the worst damage in the villages of Hrušky, Moravská Nová Ves, Mikulčice and Lužice.

In response, the Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund was organized by The SPJST Foundation to provide rebuilding and humanitarian assistance in the areas hardest hit.  “We set a goal of raising $25,000,” says SPJST Foundation President Brian Vanicek.  “Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, businesses, Texas Czech heritage and fraternal societies, that goal was thoroughly eclipsed.”  A complete list of donors appears on the spjst.org website as well as on the Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund Facebook page.

Upon establishing the fund, Vanicek, who also serves as Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Texas, reached out to Monika Vintriklova, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Atlanta, to help identify an appropriate recipient for the funds. "Monika is from the area that was hardest hit and was well-positioned to provide us with direction in the distribution of funds.  We are happy knowing that the village of Hrušky will benefit from our collective efforts." “The city greatly appreciates the funding which will be used to revitalize the places where people meet to build relationships and to celebrate folk traditions,” says Ms. Vintrlikova.

Vanicek adds, “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 provided financial assistance to the city of West for rebuilding following the massive explosion of a fertilizer warehouse that occurred here.  Again, in 2017, the Czech Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved the provision of humanitarian assistance to displaced families in La Grange 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. 

“As Texans of Czech ancestry, we share an enduring affinity for our Czech homeland. The Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund and our newly forged alliance with the village of Hrušky will help us to maintain that connection,” says Vanicek, adding that individuals or groups that would still like to contribute may do so by contacting the SPJST Home Office in Temple, Texas and requesting to speak to someone regarding the Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund.

The SPJST (Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas)Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that supports projects that seek to vitalize the cherished traditions, customs, heritage, and language of SPJST’s Czech-American forefathers.

PHOTO:  Honorary Consul to Atlanta Monika Vintriklova, left and Honorary Consul to Texas Brian Vanicek award  Hrusky Mayor Jana Filipovicova with SPJST Foundation gift via trans-Atlantic Zoom presentation on January 6.