Humanitarian Aid Program Focuses on Securing Food, Medical Supplies

WHAT: News reports indicate that unemployment in Greece is at 21% and 40% of youths between 18 and 24 are without jobs.  Hospital admissions are up 25% at a time when hospital budgets have been cut by 40% leading to medicine and workforce shortages.  More than 10,000 meals are distributed to the needy on a daily basis and 250,000 meals nationwide by the Athens archdiocese's poverty fund.

The leading membership-based association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), has mobilized its chapters, and will work in cooperation with organizations such as the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), to help with humanitarian relief efforts for the people of Greece.

HOW: AHEPA Will Help

• Identifying private sector/corporate partners to donate medical supplies.
• Making available its 501 (c) 3 AHEPA Foundation, Inc. to receive contributions that will pay for the shipment and acquisition of medical supplies and food. (Donate online: www.ahepa.org)
• Mobilizing AHEPA's Greece chapters to liaison with the Greek Ministry of Education to execute a food voucher program for schools.
• Partnering with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to assist with acquisition of medical supplies and food.

WHO:              National President Dr. John Grossomanides, who by trade works in the pharmaceutical sector, is AHEPA's spokesperson.  He seeks to leverage professional relationships in the pharmaceutical industry to secure donations for medical supplies.

Executive Director Basil Mossaidis is administering AHEPA's nationwide humanitarian relief effort.  He is the liaison to AHEPA chapters and partner organizations such as the IOCC.

AHEPA District 25 Governor Nikos Papadopoulos is located in Athens and is the officer responsible for AHEPA's chapters in Greece.  He oversees the charitable efforts conducted by Greece's AHEPA chapters.

CONTACT:    To schedule interviews, contact Andrew Kaffes, 202.441.5099, andrew@agkaffes.com.

MORE INFO:For photo and more information, please visit http://ahepa.org/dotnetnuke/News/NewsReleases/tabid/82/EntryId/162/AHEPA-Mobilizes-to-Help-Humanitarian-Relief-Efforts-for-People-of-Greece.aspx.

Founded in 1922, AHEPA is the largest and oldest membership-based association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes.  Its mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.  For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Feb. 22, 2012/

SOURCE American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association