To our Hellenic-American Communities, AHEPA Brothers & Friends:

Please direct your utmost attention and support to the aid of the victims and families devastated by disaster in Greece from recent fires.   Our Brothers in Greece are in desperate need of assistance in many ways possible to help aid the many victims and families who have experienced loss of their homes, businesses, belongings, loved ones and local/ ancient history.  

You should be in the process of directly contacting each of your local AHEPA Chapters to see what you can do with the support of your community and church to help.  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the leading association for the nation's 1.3 million American citizens of Greek ancestry, and Philhellenes, held multiple meetings in order to spear-head and coordinate Greek-American relief efforts in Greece. According to the AHEPA Executive Director Basil Mossaidis in Washington DC, there are 10 AHEPA Chapters in Greece (one right in the middle of the fire) with people on the ground ready to provide us with information and to support our efforts directly with the distribution of essential items needed for the victims and their families.

The AHEPA Supreme President Ike Gulas stated in his weekly newsletter: We Can All Help Greece! — As you know, entire towns and villages in Greece are being devastated by the rash of wildfires, that still rage across the nation. We are calling on all AHEPANs and friends to help! In the event constructing a care package is too time consuming or difficult at this time, please send a check in the amount of $150 to AHEPA Headquarters, and we will do so on your local AHEPA chapter's or individual's behalf. Moreover, this morning, Ambassador Alexandros Mallias, Greece's Ambassador to the U.S., visited AHEPA Headquarters and expressed the need of continued immediate and long-term assistance. The situation was described as being the "worst natural disaster" Greece has ever faced. Mallias also thanked AHEPA for its eagerness, willingness and determination to assist.

Via teleconference, President Gulas reiterated AHEPA's commitment to assisting the ongoing effort. Mr. Gulas also informed the Ambassador of its plan of soliciting the assistance of all firefighters willing to travel to Greece in order to fight the fires. "At present, we are working out the logistics, with the U.S. Department of State's guidance, to arrange transportation from the U.S. to Greece," added Gulas. After multiple conversations with the U.S. Department of State, AHEPA President Ike Gulas has formulated and implemented a strategy to take the lead on Greek-American's efforts in assisting Greece during this ordeal. "In times of crisis, everyone, and rightfully so, feels the desire to drop everything and assist, however, if there isn't an established point or lead, then all efforts may not see fruition," said Gulas. 
  Per AHEPA Headquarters, verifiable reports from the Embassy of Greece and in our continuing efforts to assist our extended family in Greece, we have initiated several ways in which you may help the cause:

1.      AHEPA Care Package Drive AHEPA is working with the American and Hellenic Red Cross Organizations to coordinate the shipment of care packages to Greece. Items needed range from clothes to tooth brushes. Click here for the care package item checklist and instructions.   AHEPA is asking everyone to assist each AHEPA Chapter with the collection of the following items that will be placed in a minimum of four (4) boxes consisting of the following items:   q  Pillows q  Blankets
q  Sanitary Pads
q  Baby Diapers
q  Hand Soap (bars, not liquid) q  Sleeping Bags
q  Towels q  Toothbrushes
q  Childrenâ€^TMs Clothing
q  Men's & Women's socks
q  Menâ€^TMs & Womenâ€^TMs underwear
q Men's & Women's Shoes â€" various sizes

Furthermore, AHEPA is asking that all items collected be properly packaged and boxed for transport before sending them to AHEPA Headquarters: 
 

     American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association AHEPA

1909 – Q Street, N.W., #500, Washington, DC 20009 202-232-6300 Phone / 202-232-2140 Fax / bmossaidis@ahepa.org / www.ahepa.org
Please do not send any liquids or canned foods.   Upon receipt, AHEPA will deliver the boxes (unopened) to the Red Cross, who will then facilitate final transport to Greece.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact AHEPA directly.   2.      AHEPA Financial Support Drive AHEPA will be bundling financial contributions to send to Greece along with the care packages. Our secure contribution form makes giving fast, safe and easy. Click here to give $20 or more today!

3.      AHEPA Action Alert â€" Volunteer Fire Fighters Needed AHEPA is calling on all Firefighters who are willing and able to join other firefighters from around the world and help put out the fires which have plagued Greece for over two weeks.   Your actions will aid the thousands already fighting and help reverse the catastrophic and lasting environmental damage.   Volunteer your time to make a positive difference that will affect you and future generations. To learn more about how you can volunteer, please contact AHEPA Headquarters at 202-232-6300, or visit the AHEPA National Website, http://www.ahepa.org/ .