On September 26th, at the start of the school year, the Hellenic Relief Foundation their partner organization in Athens ΕΛΕΘΣΥ, and AHEPA, in partnership with the Social Committee of the Athenian Society distributed not just food aid, but also provided school supplies and backpacks – provided by Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister for the National Economy and Finance and Parliament member representing Athens A, President of AHEPA Canada Mr. Anastasios Moussas, and former AHEPA Canada President Mr. Emmanuel Constas, who also contributed to the food distribution.
Hellenic DNA – Newsroom.
Present at the distribution was the former Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyiannis, Mr. Stelios Taketzis – H.R.F. board member who recently arrived from America, and Mr. Sotirios Loïs, president of the AHEPA Piraeus chapter. Also in attendance was the honorary president of ΕΛΕΘΣΥ, Ms. Saki Kypraiou, who thanked the diaspora for supporting this initiative from 2012 to the present.
The distribution to approximately 300 families with children was carried out under the guidance, supervision, and organization of Ms. Maria Siourdi, director of ΕΛΕΘΣΥ, along with volunteers Athens College graduate Nikolaos Konstantopoulos Jr and his team, Emy Spanou, and staff member Fotis Panagiotakopoulos.
Corporate sponsors included the Social Committee of the Athenian Society, the N. Konstantopoulou Group, Agrovim, Food Bank, Barba-Stathis, Arla Foods, AVS Services, Kamilaris AEBE, FrieslandCampina, SOFTEX AE, MINIMAL-PRESPAN, NEOHART, and Mr. Mazarakis (cheese.)
In addition to the food and school supplies, the beneficiaries had the opportunity to obtain new clothing and athletic footwear, which were donated by volunteers and companies such as PAREX.
The distribution to the children took place in a joyful atmosphere and was especially moving, as we have stood by many of them from the very first steps of their scholastic life to the completion of high school, providing them with not only essential school supplies, but also with free English lessons.
Next weekend, the Hellenic Relief Foundation will be hosting a dinner dance gala celebrating 15 years since the group’s founding, honoring AHEPA, and benefiting the Christmas food donation program on October 11th at The Graycliff in Moonachie, NJ. For tickets and information, call (201) 264-3196 and (973) 479-8883.
