SAE U.S.A - World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE)

The head of SAE / USA personally donates $50,000, declares his faith that Greece “will certainly rebuild”        

Chicago's Greek Community contributes through Radiothon $32.000

Common effort of Coordinators of SAE/USA and SAE /Oceania-Far East

Joint teleconference by SAE, HANC and AHEPA

With a $50,000 personal donation to the project “Plant Your Roots in Greece,” aimed at victim relief and Greece’s reforestation, the Coordinator of SAE / USA Theodore G. Spyropoulos helped set the pace encouraging the Omogeneia to contribute for the restoration of Greece’s devastated ecosystem.  Additional support began pouring in including a $5,000 donation from “Mistras Group Inc.” a company owned by Dr. Soterios and Aspasia Vahaviolos.

More than $32,000 was donated by Chicago's Greek community during a
radiothon over Sotiris Rekoumis' Greek Hour Friday morning. The drive
was organized by SAE / USA and the funds are contributed through the
project Plant Your Roots in Greece.

“The mobilization of America’s Hellenes is immediate and heart rending,” Mr. Spyropoulos said. “It is particularly satisfying to witness the response of the younger generations who are contributing financially and are also forming volunteer groups. There is no doubt in my mind that Greece will resurrect its ecosystem out of the ashes.”

America’s Hellenes are now joining forces with those in Australia in a common effort. Mr. Spyropoulos, President of SAE’s Regional Coordinating Council, is in close communication with SAE’s Regional Coordinator in Oceania-Far East G. Aggelopoulos who is seeking to activate the program “Plant Your Roots in Greece” in his own region. The U.S. program for reforestation of Greece is almost 10 years old and had already completed several tree plantings in various parts of Greece before the present crisis.

“Mr. Aggelopoulos and I share the same philosophy for a united effort, not a sectionalized program, and we call upon the entire omogeneia to join forces with us,” Mr. Spyropoulos said. “SAE / USA, which is very sensitive to the needs of Greece’s ecology proposed last July that all S.A.E.’s regions undertake a concerted effort. Unfortunately, the recent tragedy overtook us. This crisis cries out for a unified thrust on our part. We are also seeking to organize a common telethon with the state television company.”

 Nationwide teleconference on fires hailed as first step,

second meeting to follow in DC: S.A.E.’s Spyropoulos

The first Pan American meeting for relief to the victims of the fires and reforestation in Greece was held Tuesday night in a teleconference organized by the World Council of Hellenes SAE / USA and the Hellenic American National Council. The President of AHEPA Mr. Ike Gulas, presidents of Federations-members of SAE and HANC and other donors and volunteers participated in the teleconference.

“The joint teleconference was phenomenal success and showed the value of unity and cooperation among HANC, SAE and AHEPA” says the president of Hellenic American National Council Mr. E. Velivasakis.

A telethon to raise funds on the East Coast was also announced at the meeting by SAE / USA Coordinator Theodore G. Spyropoulos. “The Hellenic media have been very supportive and we are grateful to all of them as they have carried accurate information and have covered our efforts,” he said. “On September 9 we will hold the first telethon on the National Hellenic Channel of America (NGTV) of Dimitri Kastanas, to raise relief and reforestation funds.” The telethon will be held from 2 p.m. to midnight.

“The national tragedy that has devastated our mother country may well be a benchmark for unity and cooperation among Hellenes in America,” Mr. Spyropoulos emphasized. “Times like these demand that we put ambitions, differences and egos aside and act as one unit,” he said. “This is the first step taken in an emergency environment in order to meet immediate human and ecological needs. Let’s now follow up with a stronger, second unified meeting.” 

Mr. Spyropoulos also congratulated, and expressed support to, all the Greek American organizations, the Greek Orthodox Church of America, AHEPA and smaller groups that have announced plans to raise funds for victims and reforestation. 

In the near future, after total losses from the fires are assessed and major needs are identified, SAE / USA will call a Pan American meeting of leaders, major

donors and distinguished Hellenes and phil-Hellenes to meet with Greek Ambassador Alexandros Mallias in Washington, Mr. Spyropoulos stated. “The meeting will aim to accurately inform America’s Hellenes.

“We are already in close contact with the Ambassador, our member organizations, the President of HANC Manolis Velivasakis, Greece’s national television network and various radio and television programs here and in Greece.“Our souls are full of pain over Greece’s tragedy. We shed tears and we agonize over the devastation suffered by the land of our forefathers. But we need strength and action more than lament. In our unity we will help Greece to rebuild.”

On Tuesday, September 4, 2007, the board of the American Hellenic Congress in conjunction with the World Council for Hellenes Abroad (SAE) is organizing a meeting of concerned citizens to explore ways of coordination to help our beloved Greece.  The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall of Dimitri’s on the Avenue (formerly the City Tavern) at 14316 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn (between Greenfield and Schaefer) (313-584-1515). 

Mr. Ted Spyropoulos, Coordinator of S.A.E.will be in attendance.

“Plant Your Roots in Greece,” a not-for-profit, tax exempt organization under the auspices of SAE / USA and HANC, offers contribution opportunities both to those who wish to support primarily victims of fire and those who wish to contribute to reforestation.

Depending on individual preference, donors to the relief and reforestation campaign can mail their checks to Chicago Community Bank, 234 S. Wabash Ave. FL2, Chicago, Illinois 60604-2365.

Mail checks to Chicago Community Bank, 234 S. Wabash Ave. FL2, Chicago, Illinois 60604-2365.

Make checks Payable to one of two accounts according to preference:

Plant Your Roots in Greece,  Acct. # 459-0070-59, for reforestation. Or,

Plant Your Roots in Greece,  Acct. # 2000-0394-84, for relief.

IBAN: 07004158

With Gratitude…

Almost immediately after the raging fires began, generous contributions to the program Plant Your Roots in Greece were also made by Manolis Velivasakis, president of HANC; by the Hellenic Classical Charter School of Brooklyn, Bill Bebonis, HANC treasurer; Mrs. Stella Kokolis, president of Hellenic American Educators, the company “Right From the Olive”, as well as Petros Kougentakis, Alex Konstantinides and J. Ziambras.

“We are grateful to those who help us financially, but also to those who are assisting us in various other ways,” Mr. Spyropoulos said. Among them are Rona Stephanopoulos, Boston, who organized tens of university students both as contributors and volunteers; all HANC and SAE members and all the Greek and Greek American Media for their valuable assistance. 

We will acknowledge additional individuals

& organizations in future announcements.