SAE U.S.A - World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) - Greek-American Association's Initiative to Reforest Fire-Ravaged Magnisias Prefecture

Introduction

Plant Your Roots in Greece

News

Greek-American Association's Initiative to Reforest Fire-Ravaged Magnisias Prefecture

Friday, 13 July 2007

In an extraordinary session of the executive board --- Association of Prefecture Magnisias "Argonauts" --- and addressing the enormous destruction of nature's vital resource that is represented by trees; sustained by extensive accidental or suspicious fires in our native land, the group's members resolve to immediately set in motion a campaign to reclaim lost green. Specifically, we now begin the collection of monies with the aim to complete the multi-year task of restoring all destroyed trees.

Importantly, the effort is in collaboration with, and under the auspices of the non-profit Plant Your Roots in Greece Foundation, established in 1991 in Washington, DC, whose president is the well-known Theodoros Spiropoulos, US coordinator and Vice President of the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE). It was presented to the Greek-American community in 1994 at the annual conference of the Hellenic-American National Council held in Chicago. The foundation was placed under the aegis of the National Council during the devastating fires in Greece. In the last several years, it has been very active promoting its program within the wider Greek-American community, and in Greece, where the country's first branch was incorporated in 2004.

The aim of the American foundation is to sensitize visitors to Greece, and tourists of Greek-American descent in three areas:
1. Become aware of and contribute to the protection of the Greek environment through tree planting.
2. Strengthen bonds with the birthplace, particularly for younger generations of Greek-Americans.
3. Understand, and adopt the concept of volunteerism as tree-planting is always carried out in collaboration with local government authorities, archaeological services, and volunteer groups (high school and university students, athletes, scouts, hunters, fire fighters). “Our vision is to see Greece green again, as we Greek immigrants to America remember it,” says Mr. Spyropoulos.

In an exchange of correspondence, the leadership of both units pledge to coordinate joint appeals through the organs of mass communication, including the Internet, and the constituent groups within the broad circle of the Greek- American community, for two-fold reasons: one, to expand the coverage of our piloted program into other areas in Greece similarly ravaged, and, two, increase the voluntary contributions by drawing a larger pool of dedicated people into the project.

Interested individuals and organizations are earnestly solicited to participate in this mammoth undertaking whose potential may take a generation to realize; but we must begin

In a characteristic declaration, the Argonauts' Association president Apostolis Zoupaniotis, mentioned that "although the Greek state has expressed the intention to reforest all burned areas, our step today is symbolic, movingly demonstrating the acute interest of the Greek Diaspora for our motherland, but also the solidarity that is engendered within the bosom of those sharing a common ancestry. We hope that our gesture will inspire a similar special sensitivity in others to save our beautiful and blessed land."

Please avail yourselves of a unique chance to affect a lasting legacy through particular dedication(s) in honor or in memory of a loved one. Contact Atlantic Bank, depositing a check to: Syllogos Nomou Magnisias Argonaftes, and to the account #005-072-077, or mail a check to our association at: 38-11 Ditmars Boulevard, Suite 119, Astoria, NY 11105. (Argonaftes is a 501 c3 exempt organization and contributions are tax-deductible. All funds will be distributed for tree planting in Magnesia through the Plant Your Roots in Greece Foundation.)

Sincerely, and with fraternal affection,

Apostolos Zoupaniotis, President

Apostolos Skotidas, Secretary

Prof. Asher J. Matathias, Assistant Sec'y, Public Relations

Telephone: 718-545-4888 Facsimile: 718-545-4884