Fountain Hills Sister Cities (FHSC) welcomes a delegation from Zamosc, Poland, Saturday, Oct. 14.

Mayor Andrzej Wnuk and others from Zamosc will visit the community. Mayor Ginny Dickey has issued a proclamation commemorating their visit. The proclamation also notes visits by delegates from the community’s other Sister Cities who have visited in the past.

In addition to the honors for visiting delegates, FHSC joins in the celebration of the Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 and the German and Polish Heritage Month, Oct. 1-30.

FHSC has partners in each of the countries with Ataco in El Salvador, Dierdorf in Germany and Zamosc in Poland and has developed ongoing relationships with residents in each of those cities. These relationships are made possible with regular adult trips and student exchanges.

Mayor Oscar Gomez of Ataco and Mayor Thomas Vis of Dierdorf have both visited Fountain Hills several times in the past.

“The adult visits and student exchanges have brought awareness of the diverse cultures in each country, and we find that we have much in common with each other,” a FHSC press release said. “Lifelong friendships have developed as a result.”

As early as 1683, families from Germany began settling in Pennsylvania, according to FHSC. Ever since then, waves of immigrants brought their ingenuity and perseverance to the United States.

“When we hear them, we recognize them,” the release said.

German Americans established the first kindergartens in the United States and the Christmas tree tradition, according to FHSC, who also introduced foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, pretzels, strudel, sauerkraut and lager beer to America.

German Americans make up the largest self-reported ancestry group within the United States, according to the press release, accounting for roughly 49 million people and approximately 17% of the population of the U.S.

Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

“It is dedicated time to celebrate the traits that make us unique and add to the flavor of our culture,” Sgt. Major Angela Guigni Hernandez said in a press release. She is the U.S. Army South chief religious affairs non-commissioned officer.

The Census Bureau estimates there were roughly 63.7 million Hispanics in the U.S. as of 2022 and make up 19% of the nation’s population, the press release said.

During American history and culture, Polish people have played an important role since 1608, when the first Polish settlers arrived at Jamestown, Va. The movement began in Philadelphia, Pa., and became a national celebration of Polish history, culture and pride, the press release said.

The 243rd anniversary will be marked in honor of General Casimir Pulaski, father of the American Cavalry and American Revolutionary War hero, Thaddeus Kosciuszko.

“As we mark the anniversary of the first Poles in America, we are reminded of the journey of our ancestors who contributed to the American mosaic,” the release said, adding that there are an estimated 8.81 million self-identified Polish Americans, representing about 2.67% of the U.S. population.

For more information about Fountain Hills Sister Cities, visit fountainhillssistercities.org.