The Minnesota-Sri Lanka Friendship Foundation (“MnSLFF”) received the first disbursement of $60,000 from the Apple Valley Foundation’s donor designated Tsunami Relief Fund on April 29, 2005. This was given to MnSLFF to commence the housing construction project in Galle District, Sri Lanka. As the construction progresses, the Apple Valley Foundation will be releasing the funds as needed for this project in accordance with the fund’s established purpose.

After the December 26 tsunami, Dan and Kay Shimek pledged $100,000 in matching dollars in an effort to raise needed funds. The Shimek’s, along with the Mayor of Apple Valley, Mary Hammonn-Roland and other local community leaders and donors from the surrounding metro area, raised over $500,000 during a series of fundraising campaign events. A special banquet event called the “Wave of Hope”  at Enjoy in Apple Valley raised $275,000.

This money was deposited into the donor designated Apple Valley Foundation Tsunami Relief Fund. The stated purpose of this fund is to help Tsunami survivors in Tsunami affected countries. To that end, the Apple Valley Foundation has been asked by their donors to pledge all $275,000 of these funds to MnSLFF to be used toward the village rebuilding project.

The ground breaking ceremony is tentatively set for  May 19, 2005, in Sri Lanka. MnSLFF is eager to complete this housing project as soon as possible and to move the first 50 families into these houses and allow them to get on with their lives. The village project is scheduled to be completed sometime in late September. You will be informed as to the “ribbon cutting" ceremony when a date has been set.