In response to last summer’s multiple-vortex tornado in the Czech Republic, the SPJST Foundation has awarded $40,000 to the town of Hrušky, one of the areas hardest hit by the storm. Hrušky 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 below 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 Vintrlikova, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Atlanta, to help identify an appropriate recipient for the fund. “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, Texas, in response to Hurricane Harvey.

“The gifts demonstrated the Czech Republic’s dedication and solidarity with the United States and especially Texas, 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 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.

Thank you to the many individuals, businesses, heritage groups, and fraternal societies who contributed so generously to the Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund.

Fr. Stephen Nesrsta • Brian and Joan Vanicek • Melanie Zavodny • David Nauert • Elaine Zavodny • Delisle Doherty • Billy Havlik • Shawn Rhodes Palmer • Larry Anderson • Paul T. Hlavinka • Denise Mazal • Barbara Fowler • Theresa Zavodny • SPJST Lodge 246, Morgan’s Point • Roy Vajdak • Don Kotrla • Kaspar Family • Karen Kaspar • Eva Linke • Rich Carroll • Monika Pechacek • Carrice Dunnahoo • Beth Rabroker • Marcy Dorotik-Bilnoski • Shelley Boley • Sylvia Schiller • Ralph J. Milek • John Dujka • Michelle Zapletal Slovak • John Gerald Sefcik • John Martinec • Clyde Cantrell • Helen Belicek Newman • Frank Sodek • Amber Wiehl • Alan Polansky • Cindy Pustejovsky Belknap • Beverly Gavenda • Sylvie Bauerova • James Ermis • Monica Sinkule • Eva Skala • Lon Herrera • Clarice Snokhous • Jamie Rojas • Michaela Tichackova • Steven Mikel • Sheila Pattison-Zengler • Deborah Herrera • Sherry Shuffield • Barbara Beseda Kostecka • Janka Goldstein • Melissa Maloch • Shannon Steck • Daniel E. Marek • Steven Vrana • Kevin Sykora • Robert Wolter • Darwin and Nancy Machu • Daniel and Norma Mares • Rickie and Janelle Novosad • Eugene and Dorothy Haisler • Louis and Louise Straka, Jr. • Fr. Paul Chovanec • Johnnie and Lorenda Polasek • Retta Chandler • Barbara Hruby • SPJST Lodge 24, Cyclone • J.G. and Janis Hrncir • Joann Kover • Margaret A. Polansky • Theodore J. and Myrna F. Slansky • James and Joyce Skrabanek • D. Tichavsky • SPJST Lodge 87, Temple • Dennis and Susan M. Jistel • Betty Macalik • SPJST Lodge 25, Ennis • Frank and Marie Dulak • Robert and Deborah Trampota • Eugene Maroul • Czech Center Museum Houston • Phillip M. and Mary E. Kasik Charitable Fund • Robert L. and Judith A. Little • SPJST Lodge 177, Academy • Jesse C. and Linda C. Pospisil • SPJST Lodge 29, Taylor • Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, Inc. • Dorothy V. and John H. Bradberry • Jeanette A. Brown • H.M. and W.J. Hajda • Lorraine D. Kana • Frank L. Chovanec • SPJST Lodge 25, Ennis Youth Club • Rose A. and John W. Thorsky • John B. and Bess P. Jez • David Patterson • Emil Kutra Jr. and Stephen R. Kutra • Teresa Mize • James A. Gerick • William E. and Dianne Fojtasek • SPJST Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy • SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton • Bennie and Patricia Reck • Theresa A. Wilson • Everett E. and Jenny R. Green • Jerry Stransky • Linda and Larry Plunk • Margie Ann Bubenik and Robert Suttie • SPJST Lodge 4, Hallettsville • Patricia Zabransky • Mary Ellen Kiely • Rose M. Rohde • Richard R. and Wilma Schaefer • SPJST Lodge 133, San Antonio • Regina L. House • Carol A. and Daniel J. Moravec • Anton Paul Hajek, III • Lawrence J. and Ruth Honza • KJT Society #100 • SPJST Lodge 142, Houston • Frank and Evelyn Jez • Stephen and Laura Rebecek • SPJST Lodge 79, Corpus Christi • Mary Jo Rebecek • Mark and Virginia Rebecek • Jim Koutny • Jerry and Jill Sijansky • Larry Elzner • Diane Burge McRae • Martina and Martin Valko • WFLA Dallas Lodge 401 • KJT St. Johns Society #101 • SPJST Lodge 84, Dallas • National Polka Festival • Edward R. and Diane G. Oates • Lorene Ann and Horace M. Cockrell • Travis-Williamson Counties Chapter of Czech Heritage Society of Texas • L.A. and H.L. Gajdica • Annie and Philip Vahalik • Daniel and Yvonne Zapletal • American Sokol Organization – Southern District • Slovacek West LP