Medical Equipment to Slovakia

In 1992, Governor George Voinovich of Ohio issued a press release stating medical equpiment from three closing veterans' hospitals would be made available to the public. The Youngstown - Spišská Nová Ves Sister Cities Program travelled to Rickenbacker Air Force Base and tagged items to be donated to Slovakia. Thirteen containers of items (weighing 13 tons and valued at $11 million dollars) were sent that year to the Spiš region. The cost of transportation for the initial shipment, $13,000 , was assisted by the Cleveland - Bratislava Sisiter Cities Program and the George Soros Foundation.

Since 1992, $15,000,000 of medical equipment has been sent through our program including two catscan machines, two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, two mammogram machines, a Picker Dynamo II camera for cardiac surgery, three portable x-ray machines, two EKG monitors, operating tables and beds. The Youngstown - Spišská Nová Ves Sister Cities Program pays for all electrical conversions for the medical equipment, as well as the crating of equipment and transportation to destinations in Slovakia.

English Teachers to Slovakia

From 1991 to 1998, Youngstown - Spišská Nová Ves Sister Cities sent 42 teachers to Slovakia to teach English at Spiš schools and seminaries for a six-month period. Sister Cities recruited the teachers, and paid for their airfare and medical expenses. The city of Spišská Nová Ves provided a free apartment and monthly stipend for each teacher. In 1998 the Peace Corps and local teachers met the demand for English classes so this program was discontinued. Teachers from across America and Canada volunteered for this effort.

Computer Equipment to Slovakia

In the early 1990s, The Youngstown - Spišská Nová Ves Sister Cities Program shipped twenty personal computers, five printers, and two microscopes to schools in Levoca, Slovakia. In 2000, computers were shipped to Doctor Marian Kopecny, Bratislava Hospital, to be used for inventory, scheduling, and patient information. In 2003, thirty computers and printers were donated by the school board in the city of Oregon, Ohio and shipped to Zilina in Central Slovakia.

Visits by Slovak Mayors and Businessmen

In 1994, the Youngstown - Spišská Nová Ves Sister Cities Program sponsored a seminar at Youngstown State Univeristy for mayors from 25 cities from Slovakia. A luncheon was held with the mayors which was attended by Youngstown area businessmen, politicians, state officials, and university administration. Tours of the Youngstown State School of Engineering were arranged and communication was facilitated between the Slovak visitors and the Youngstown research community.

A similar visit by 20 Slovak businessmen was held, including tours of Pittsburgh and surrounding cities. In Youngstown, they were given tours of the local General Motors assembly plant and the Schwebel Baking Company. Board member Rick Salata, of Mill Creek Homes, arranged for the complete assembly of a home to be accomplished in one week, so the mayors can observe modern construction practices.

Extended Visit by Karol Mitrik and Jan Hurny

In 2000, Sister Cities hosted the mayor of Spišská Nová Ves, Karol Mitrik, and his commissioner, Jan Hurny. A meeting was held with George McKelvey, Mayor of Youngstown, and keys to the city were exchanged. Special guided tours of infrastructure such as sewage treatment and water distribution. They also attended Slovak Mass at St. Matthias Church in Youngstown and visited the International Exhibit at the Mahoning County Fair, the second largest county fair in the state of Ohio.

Establishment of Rotary Club in Spišská Nová Ves

In order to facilitate a high school student exchange program though International Rotary, a Rotary Club was organized in Spišská Nová Ves. There are now over two dozen Rotary Clubs in Slovakia, and any student wishing to be a part of the student exchange program must submit their applications to an established Rotary Club. To date, there have been 17 students involved in the program, two-thirds being Slovak students studying in the United States, and the other third being Americans studying in Slovakia. Sister Cities pays for the airfare and hospital premiums of all participating students. In addition, Sister Cities also pays for American students to attend a Slovak language class at Pitt University for preparation in conversational Slovak.

Hosting Students from Slovakia

Annually, Sister Cities treats the visiting students and their host families to the Villija Dinner (Slovak Christmas Eve dinner/celebration) sponsored by the American Slovak Cultural Association. A monetary gift is presented to every student who attends and each student addresses the group, mentioning their goals for the future.

Tours to Slovakia

Tours have been planned with the Youngstown - Spišská Nová Ves Sister Cities Program every year since 1992. Highlights of the tour include visiting various sites throughout Slovakia and meeting the Mayor of Spišská Nová Ves at City Hall. Every meeting with the Mayor includes brunch, chamber music, signing of the guestbook, and a presentation of individual gifts for each member of the tour. The crest of the City of Youngstown, hand-carved in wood hangs on the wall of the entry to the City Hall in Spišská Nová Ves. To date, over 300 tourists have visited Slovakia through Sister Cities tours.

Work with Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C.

In 2003, Slovak Ambassador Martin Butora welcomed representatives from Sister Cities as they delivered $3000 in donations for flood relief from recent flood damage problems in Slovakia. Ambassador Butora met with the groups and gave them a tour of the new embassy.

In addition to the accomplishments listed above
the Youngstown - Spišská Nová Ves Sister Cities Program
continually raises funds for future projects
and brings Slovak entertainment from around the world
to people in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.