FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 31, 2020
edited to remove donation link on June 11, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS

Tacoma’s Sister Cities Committee Mobilizes to Help 
Raise Funds for Response to Coronavirus Outbreak in China

Tacoma’s Sister Cities Committee has mobilized to provide local community members who wish to help those affected by the coronavirus outbreak in China with a secure way to donate funds. Funds donated will help Tacoma’s international partners in Mianyang and Fuzhou address the sudden and surging demand that exists across China for medical resources and supplies.

"While public health officials in Tacoma and across the United States continue to closely monitor this global health crisis, we have grown deep and connected relationships with Mianyang and Fuzhou," said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. "This is an opportunity to be responsive to our global neighbors in their time of need by sharing resources and support. I urge everyone to support the Tacoma Sister Cities program in these efforts."

"Tacoma's ties across the Pacific to Mianyang, our Friendship City, and Fuzhou, our Sister City, are deep and strong," said Sister Cities Council of Tacoma Chair Clare Petrich. "Our students' lives have been transformed after visiting China, Tacoma's Chinese Reconciliation Project could not have been completed without Minyiang's help, and Tacoma's favorite team water sport of Dragon Boating began in China 2,500 years ago. When we learned of the coronavirus emergency, our hearts went out to people we know and care about. This is the mission of Sister Cities - to know our neighbors and help when we are needed. Sister Cities will ensure that Tacoma's generous donations will be used to purchase and send the medical goods desperately needed in China."

Additional information on Fuzhou, China – Tacoma’s Sister City since 1994 – is available on the City of Tacoma’s website.

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