ATHENS — Volunteers battled a summer heat wave on July 20th and 21st to carry out the annual food, clothing, and footwear distribution at the facilities of Hellenic Volunteer Support (ΕΛΕΘΣΥ), the Greece-based representative of the Hellenic Relief Foundation (HRF).
A Visitor from Canada Brings a Pledge of Support
The first day of the drive centered on a visit from Anastasios Moussas, President of AHEPA Canada, who traveled to the distribution site with his wife to see the organization’s work firsthand. Moussas praised the partnership between the Hellenic Relief Foundation and its Greek affiliate, carried out in cooperation with the Social Committee of the Athenian Society, and pledged to continue — and expand — his personal support of the effort into the coming year.
ΕΛΕΘΣΥ’s honorary president, Saki Kyprea, was also on hand to welcome him. Organizers thanked Moussas for his generosity and compassion.
Six AHEPA chapters helped organize the effort, together contributing 14 bundles of clothing:
- HJ-02 “Glyfada” (Glyfada)
- HJ-04 “Solon” (Halandri)
- HJ-09 “Themistocles” (Piraeus)
- HJ-17 “Hephaestus” (Vari, Voula, Vouliagmeni)
- HJ-38 “Phalereus” (P. Faliro)
- HJ-55 “Thucydides” (Alimos)
The chapters were represented by Sotirios Loïs, President, and Makarios Efpraxiadis, Vice President, of the Piraeus chapter; Aristeidis Grivas, President of the Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni chapter; and Georgios Sarafoglou, former President of the Alimos chapter.
Day Two: Staples for Families and Elderly Residents
The second day belonged to the Hellenic Relief Foundation’s food distribution. Packages of pasta, rice, flour, orzo, olive oil, milk, and cut chicken went to financially disadvantaged families and elderly residents living alone who rely on the organization’s ongoing support. Barba Stathis frozen vegetables — green beans, peas, and spinach — along with ARISTON butter and other products rounded out each package.
Over the two days, 244 food packages were distributed in total, including 14 delivered to the Holy Church of Saint Catherine of Petralona.
ΕΛΕΘΣΥ director Maria Siourdi directed the distribution, with volunteers Emi Spanou, Yiannis Lambrou, and Fotis Panagiotakopoulos assisting on the ground.
Sponsors Behind the Effort
Organizers credited this month’s sponsors for making the distribution possible: the N. Konstantopoulou Group, Agrovim, the Social Committee of the Athenian Society, Food Bank, Loulis Mills, Barba-Stathis, Alpiland, Karamolegos, Hermes Harisiadis SA, AHEPA, and the SAP Organization.
Looking Ahead: 15th Anniversary Dinner Dance
The Hellenic Relief Foundation is now turning its attention to its Christmas distribution, launching fundraising efforts with a dinner dance on October 11th at The Graycliff in Moonachie, New Jersey, marking the organization’s 15th anniversary and honoring AHEPA.
For information and reservations, contact (201) 264-3196 or (973) 479-8883.
Sourde : HRF press release
Photos : Stavros Tsakiridis
