Greek American organizations collect money for the Eastern Attica wildfire victims
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Greek American Community shows its solidarity for the victims of the wild fires in Eastern Attica, with messages of sympathy and fundraising activities.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, in a statement issued on Tuesday, expressed its deep sorrow and agony for the disastrous fires in eastern Attica.
“I express my sincere condolences to the people of Greece for this unexpected tragedy. As Greek Orthodox in America, we stand by and with our affected brothers and sisters in Greece and we fervently pray to God for the families impacted by this tragic calamity. We hope that favorable conditions will soon be restored for the return of life and progress in the destroyed areas,” said His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.
The Archbishop has sent letters of condolence to the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopios Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, and Metropolitan Kyrillos of Kifissia, Amaroussion and Oropos.
In addition, Archbishop Demetrios wrote an Encyclical to the reverend clergy and the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, asking them to hold a prayer service this Sunday, July 29, 2018 for the health, relief and support of the fire victims, and to offer a special memorial service for those who have lost their lives to this tragedy.
In the same Encyclical, the Archbishop asks the parishes to conduct a special fundraiser (to pass a special tray) on the following two Sundays to alleviate the suffering victims and offer help and hope to those whose homes and fortunes have been totally destroyed. All offers and contributions of either parishes or individuals should be sent payable to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America with a memo indicating Attica Fires Relief Fund.
The Supreme President of the Order of the AHEPA, Carl H. Hollister, speaking from the podium of the annual Congress of the organization that is taking place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, has also offered his condolences and called on the AHEPANs to mobilize in solidarity to the devastated people of Greece. AHEPA opened an Emergency Relief Fund for Greek Wildfire Aid and one may contribute by visiting AHEPA’s web site www.ahepa.org/donate
The Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) has also started a special fundraiser with a goal to collect $ 250,000. In the first 7 hours 370 people collected the amount of $ 34,909.
Source: AMNA