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| City of Lakeland Sister Cities |
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VISION – To establish cultural and educational exchanges that foster greater cultural understanding, one friendship at a time
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Lakeland Sister Cities International officially incorporated in March 1990, although it began its planning stages during the late 80’s. Lakeland officially signed with Richmond Hill, Ontario, in 1990, and enjoyed annual international ice hockey tournaments and less formal lawn bowling activities in its early years, along with educational and cultural exchanges. Lakeland is proud of the fact that Richmond Hill Mayor Bell’s father retired in the Lakeland area as a result of the exchange. Although there has not been much recent Canadian activity, it is hoped that exchanges will resume very soon. >Visit Richmond Hill online!
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In 1992, the first steps to expand Lakeland's Sister City role were taken, as overtures were sent to Imabari, Japan, a city on the Japanese island of Shikoku with a then-population of approximately 120,000 people. Local restaurant owner, Yoshikazu Yano, was instrumental in establishing this partnership. Imabari is the second most populous city in Ehime Prefecture. Official twinning documents were signed in July 1995 during a ceremony held in Lakeland between Lakeland Mayor Buddy Fletcher and Imabari's then Mayor Kazuo Okajima. Imabari made a significant donation of Japanese pottery as part of our permanent collection at the Polk Museum of Art. High school students from Imabari and Lakeland have visited each others cities in alternate years since 1995. A federal Sister City grant exchange occurred over a period of three years to study volunteerism in the sister cities.
A Japanese student visit to Lakeland is scheduled in August 2006. A World Camp for youth is being planned to coincide with this visit. PLEASE NOTE, HOST FAMILIES & PLANNERS ARE NEEDED IN AUGUST FOR THIS STUDENT EXCHANGE. PLEASE CALL EVETTE McCREE AT(863)701-0177 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
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Negotiations towards making Balti, Moldova (pronounced Beltz), in the former Soviet Republic and now independent nation of Moldova, the third sister city of Lakeland, began in 1995. In May 1997 a group of Balti businessmen and dignitaries visited Lakeland for a 30 day extended study and business exchange. In September 1997, LSCI and Lakeland city officials traveled to Balti and signed sister city documents cementing the relationship. Ambassador Ceslav Ciobanu of the Republic of Moldova, visited Lakeland in October 1999 to help expand the economic and charitable efforts. In 2000, a $47,000 Domestic Abuse Program grant was acquired by Sister Cities/Federal government for domestic violence training that paired Moldovans and Lakeland’s PD Domestic Abuse Unit. The DART program is one of the sustaining efforts continuing in Balti today.
Doctor Gregory Spirakis (Lakeland’s own Ambassador of Audiology) and others officially opened a freestanding audiology clinic In October 2002 named the Hearing Protection Center, a hearing clinic primarily for children, but available for adult services also. Hundreds of hearing aids and batteries have been donated to this region. In June 2003 Dr. Gregory Spirakis was presented an Outstanding Citizen Achievement Award by USAID for these efforts. In October of 2005, he received a civic merit medal, one of Moldova's greatest honors, from the country's president.
In partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation, Rotary International, and Counterparts International, 288 wheelchairs have been delivered to Balti, to provide mobility to many youth and adults. A surgical team, including doctors from Lakeland, went to Balti in 2004 to do facial and cleft palate surgery. A local foundation, Project Global Reach Foundation, headed by Phil Young and other area businessmen, has purchased a building which will be entitled Center of Hope. This facility will be for between 50 and 75 orphans, all outgrowths of Sister City activities. Local schools, including Southwest, Griffin, McKeel, and Medulla Elementary have actively committed to Moldovan relationships through adopted schools, care packages, video exchanges, etc. Peace poles have been planted and dedicated at Southwest, Griffin, and Medulla. Lakeland Regional Medical Center and other businesses have made significant donations of outdated equipment to Balti, delivered in two containers to this city. Balti now celebrates “Lakeland Day” on October 4, annually.
This city is nestled in the north central part of the former Soviet republic of Moldova, between Ukraine and Romania. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe. The citizens of Balti are working very hard to replace the scourge of decades of Soviet socialist domination with the fresh winds of freedom and capitalism. While its main export is fine wine produced from local vineyards, there are new businesses springing up, and Baltis are looking to Lakeland for business and technical knowledge, as well as American products and production techniques.
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We salute the work of all members and supporters of Lakeland Sister Cities International, Inc., who help to bring the people of Lakeland and the people of the world together in greater harmony.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
LSCI supports the annual high school youth international art contest in the public schools each year. We have had international finalists twice.
LSCI was named BEST OVERALL PROGRAM 1998 by Sister Cities International, for cities under 100,000 people
Dana K Kelly was recognized as VOLUNTEER of THE YEAR (nationally) in 2002 for her LSCI efforts.
Pat Buchanan received several local and national recognitions for her efforts in establishing LSCI and is currently a National SCI Board Member.
LSCI received a $5000 United Way venture grant to establish after school youth clubs dedicated to sister city service, with programs at three elementary schools.
LSCI encourages participation in state and national Sister City conferences annually.
If you would like to become a member of LSCI or need information regarding meeting dates, please call 863) 647-1548 or (863) 686-0888.
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