Embassy Press Release

Alabama National Guard Donates $3000 to "Casa Speranta" Orphanage

A delegation from the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) of the United States Embassy in Bucharest visited the Casa Speranta Orphanage in Constanta on December 8. The delegation, led by Col. John Ingham, was accompanied by Representative Neal Morrison of the Alabama State Legislature. Rep. Morrison presented the orphanage director, Elena Cismasu, with approximately USD 3000 on behalf of the Alabama National Guard, as well as some clothing and other items. He also discussed the next visit of the Alabama National Guard to the Orphanage in June 2007 and reviewed the results of last summer’s donation of over USD 3000 that the orphanage used to buy winter food and school supplies. Casa Speranta Orphanage is a home for HIV positive children and there are around 13 there at any time.

The Office of Defense Cooperation has the mission of managing the entire spectrum of U.S. Security Cooperation programs in Romania in order to facilitate the Romanian Armed Forces interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces. This includes a number of cooperative programs with the Alabama National Guard. A delegation from the State of Alabama led by the commanding general of the Alabama National Guard traditionally visits Romania every year to explore possibilities for cooperation in education, trade, humanitarian assistance, and cultural exchange.

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