FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 2, 2007                                                 Media Contact:  Gayle Brammer

                                                                        Phone: 954.560.4164

                                                                        Email: gaylebrammer@aol.com

“Wheels” and Hope Delivered to Disabled Panamanians

Sister Cities International Mission a Humanitarian Hit

Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International announced today that its mission to deliver over 550 wheelchairs to disabled peoples in Panama was a huge success. Upon invitation from Juan Carlos Navarro, Mayor of Panama City, this achievement was led by Luz Elena Aristizabal and connected both communities though kindness and mobility.

For nine days Ms. Aristizabal traveled the cities and mountains of Panama. She worked through the American Embassy and with local civic organizations to distribute new wheelchairs to the Panamanian Charity Foundation.  Recipients attended visits in both Panama City and the Providence of Chiriqui as did local and national press.  Discussions on continued humanitarian efforts between Fort Lauderdale and Panama also highlighted the February 2007 Central America mission.

Aristizabal, GFLSCI Panama Chairperson, informs that Wheelchairs for Peace is a global initiative begun in 2002 and conducted jointly by Sister Cities International and the Wheelchair Foundation. So far, numerous sister city programs have raised more than $525,000, which is matched dollar for dollar by the Wheelchair Foundation.

Currently, more than 100 million people around the world need a wheelchair, but cannot afford to purchase it or do not have access to one. According to Steve Naimoli, President of GFLSCI, “a donation of only $75 can give the gift of mobility and drastically change someone’s life.”

Naimoli continues, “Building links between the South Florida and communities abroad is more important than ever in today's global society.  Our special type of cooperative effort strengthens diplomatic ties as we say - one individual, one community at a time.”

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About Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cites International (GFLSCI)

GFLSCI is a non-profit citizen diplomacy network dedicated to creating and strengthening partnerships between Fort Lauderdale and cities around the world in an effort to increase global cooperation on many levels. This Passport to the world promotes cultural understanding, humanitarian programs, and stimulates economic development.  GFLSCI leads the movement for local community development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering private citizens, municipal officials and business leaders to conduct long-term programs of mutual benefit.  For more information on joining or volunteering, please visit www.gflsci.org.  GFLSCI Office:  954-828-4536 or  info@gflsci.org.