Jill Ruzicka–Special to the Record-Bee
LAKE COUNTY–Lake County residents who attended a New Year”s Eve fundraiser celebrated anniversaries, birthdays and learned first hand how the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund continues to help civilians harmed in Iraq. Marla Ruzicka was a Lakeport resident who lost her life at the age of 28 to a suicide car bomber in Baghdad on April 16, 2005, while advocating for assistance for innocent civilians who had been harmed due to the military action in Iraq.
Dr. Gavin Helf of USAid/Iraq and his family were the guests of honor at the New Year”s celebration held in Lakeport. USAid has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years. A portion of USAid/Iraq”s budget comes from the US Government”s “Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund”, often referred to as “The Marla Fund.” Dr. Helf, through his position with USAid/Iraq, is responsible for making sure that those funds are distributed appropriately to civilians in need, in an effort to rebuild their lives in Iraq and prepare them to gain autonomy in their quest for a democratic nation.
Dr. Helf explained that often government funds earmarked for humanitarian and rebuilding efforts must also cover administrative and very expensive security costs. What is unique about the “The Marla Fund” is that the funds bypass those additional costs, and go directly to helping civilians. The three major usages of the Marla Fund were discussed by Dr. Helf. In the most pressing cases, the monies provide for immediate and urgent medical care for civilians who received accidental physical harm due to US military action. The fund also helps individuals who have lost homes, businesses, or spouses regain their livelihoods and the Marla Fund is used to help rebuild communities that inadvertently suffered damage due to the military conflict.
Dr. Helf is based in Iraq. Many of the people he has working with him in Iraq to document casualties and distribute these funds are Iraqis who personally knew Marla and knew of her quest. He referred to these workers as “Marla Officers.”
On December 20, 2007, Tim Reiser, Senator Leahy”s (D-Vt.) aide, and friend and colleague of Marla”s announced, “The President is going to sign the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bills in the next few days, and the State and Foreign Operations Bill includes another $5 million for the Marla Fund. Marla”s legacy is being felt by many, many people.”
The evening event raised $5,000 for CIVIC (Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict). Marla started this Washington, D.C. based non-profit organization before her death, and it continues to advocate for innocent victims who are accidentally caught in the crossfire of war. Clifford and Nancy Ruzicka, Marla”s parents along with attorney Peter Windrem, member of the CIVIC Board of Directors hosted the event.
It was also announced at the gathering that Sweet Relief; the Marla Ruzicka Story is being printed in Italian and will be released in Italy later this year.
Besides raising funds for CIVIC, Peter and Kathy Windrem along with Beverly and Wilford Low, personal friends of the Ruzicka”s, commemorated wedding anniversaries. Mark Ruzicka, Marla”s twin brother, celebrated his 31st birthday and Joe Helf, Dr. Helf”s father, celebrated his 80th birthday. Joe & Betty Helf are residents of Kelseyville. The local rock band The Lost Boys, comprised of CLHS students Beau Bastian, Cody Lawson, Jordan Mills and Matt Weiss preformed at the end of the evening to an enthusiastic crowd. Joan Moss performed folk songs before and during dinner.
Anyone interested in finding out more about CIVIC or donating to this organization can go to www.civicworldwide.org. Information about USAid/Iraq can be found at www.usaid.gov/iraq.
