Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has spearheaded a relief effort to help rebuild Honduras and other Central American countries ravaged by Hurricane Mitch.

Mayor Finkbeiner was in Honduras the week of March 15th after enlisting the support of a wide variety of volunteers from Toledo. Billed as one of ten "All-American-Cities" by the National Civic League, the mayor has also called on other communities to help in the effort.

Working with the Agency for International Development (AID), Mayor Finkbeiner has helped coordinate volunteer efforts in other cities to match them with potential projects. Assistance in public and private relief ranges from donations of building supplies, help in purifying water supplies, assistance to farmers, and technical and financial help to rebuild small businesses.

In Honduras, Mayor Finkbeiner and 45 Toledo volunteers will work with USAID officials in an effort for two weeks to help combat various health care problems and help rehabilitate homes. Over 300,000 people were left without shelter following the hurricane.

Mayor Finkbeiner met with Tipper Gore in December, wife of Vice President Al Gore, who had been appointed national point person for Honduran relief efforts.