Public Expression of Gratitude from the Municipalities of Algund and Gratsch for Disaster Relief Donations

Public Expression of Thanks.

Algund, 4 Oct. The two communities of Algund and Gratsch near Meran were severely tested both last year and this year by natural disasters and severe weather. The victims felt keenly the devastation of their fields, the destruction of their houses, and the loss of their crops, indeed even of their entire property. Yet they did not lose their faith in God; they looked up to the heights, whence often alone help can come – and the Lord guided the hearts of men, and generous gifts flowed to those crying for help, who thereby found rescue from their distress.

Terrible is the Lord in his storms, threatening when his finger beckons that the elements of his creation may rebel; yet all things only glorify the splendour of his omnipotence and the greatness of his goodness. If the sight of the destruction of one's property is so disheartening as to drive one to despair, and the grief over the loss of one's possessions is great, the feeling of joy is no less profound and equally uplifting and elevating when the unfortunate sees how his neighbour, his friend comes to his aid, and how brethren near and far send what they can spare to help him, even sharing with him what is essential.

This feeling has been awakened and come alive within us; we have felt how comforting it is to receive aid in times of need, to receive acts of charity; it joins the joy of knowing that one is recognized even in misfortune and of seeing the hand of friendship extended. Only now do we fully understand the happiness of those who are in a position to bring aid to the poor and distressed, to alleviate their hardship, and to soothe their pain. We shall preserve this feeling within us and not forget what we ought to do in the face of another's misfortune, once we have recovered from the blow received and are once again capable of sharing with others in need.

Our benefactors, who rejoice in the experience of such happiness, have not failed to secure its full enjoyment: 11,000 Rhenish florins have they contributed in our misfortune to our relief!

Now that the two communities of Algund and Gratsch have divided this substantial support from private individuals proportionally between themselves, with Algund receiving two parts and Gratsch one part, the leaders of both municipalities find this the most fitting moment to publish the total sum of contributions received and, on behalf of all those assisted, to express the warmest gratitude of their hearts to all benefactors. May God bless them and reward a hundredfold the gifts bestowed in our time of need!

Joseph Ladurner,

Mayor of Algund.

Franz Ladurner,

Mayor of Gratsch.