With great sadness, we learned last week of the passing of Dolores Strand.
Dolores was a founding member and longtime leader of the Sister Cities International partnership between Columbia Heights, MN, and Łomianki, Poland. Serving as president for 30 years, she guided the organization through fundraisers, cultural exchanges, international conferences, and even hosted an international Sister Cities conference in Minneapolis.
Under her leadership, the organization achieved remarkable milestones. She played a key role in providing an ambulance for the Łomianki Children’s Hospital and securing a horse for their physical therapy program. She helped facilitate exchange programs for police officers and students, strengthening relationships between the two communities. She was also instrumental in planting commemorative trees in Łomianki Park, Columbia Heights, and ensuring that over 200 new wheelchairs were donated to Warsaw, Poland through the Kenneth Behring Wheelchair Foundation. Her passion for preserving history led her to support the translation and publication of the Polish WWII documentary book Frantic 7. Most recently, under her guidance, the organization made a significant contribution to PACIM’s project to erect the 1944 Warsaw Uprising UAAF Airlift Memorial in Columbia Heights.
As a dedicated member of PACIM, Dolores was a steadfast supporter of our organization, actively participating in meetings, events, and community initiatives with unwavering passion.
Her kindness, leadership, and commitment to Polish-American relations will be deeply missed.