December 18, 2007 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Assistance to the Rytas Orphanage in Klaipeda

Media event: tomorrow, December 19, 2007, beginning at 15:15 - 17:30 h the opening ceremony will take place at Rytas Orphanage (Taikos 68, Klaipeda).

Tomorrow, December 19, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Unites States Embassy, Dr. Damian R. Leader, and the Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation, LTC Richard T. Gibbons are scheduled to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the Humanitarian Assistance project at the Rytas Orphanage in Klaipeda. 

The United States European Command and the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius provided new kitchen and dining equipment for the Rytas Orphanage, including professional grade kitchen equipment, stainless steel cabinetry and tables, dining room tables and chairs, for the total amount of more than $35,000.   

The U.S. Embassy's Office of Defense Cooperation and Rytas Orphanage have had a robust and mutually beneficial relationship.  Since 2004, U.S. military engineers helped renovate the kitchen and dining areas, the corridors and central staircase, and improve the ventilation system.  U.S. Department of Defense also provided funds to replace all of the facility's windows and donated excess property to improve the offices, common rooms and children's rooms.  The total cost of U.S. Government assistance to the Rytas orphanage has been exceeded $280,000.