Tragic Fires in Greece Prompt Action
American Hellenic Congress host President of SAE USA, Ted Spyropoulos
Photos in Gallery
The American Hellenic Congress (AHC) hosted an emergency session on Tuesday, September 4, 2007. Hellenes from throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area gathered to discuss efforts to support victims of the catastrophic fires, which raged through Greece over the past two weeks. Fires, leaving in their wake, thousands of refugees, millions of dollars of destruction and a disaster that threatens to affect the future balance of Europe’s fragile environment and ecology.
The guest speaker for the event was Mr. Ted Spyropoulos, Chairman of the SAE, World Council of Hellenes, for the United States. Mr. Spyropoulos, was elected to his position during meetings held in November 2006, in New York City. He resides in Oakbrook, IL and is the president off T.G.S. Petroleum, Inc. Leaders from many of the local organizations attended to discuss future fundraising efforts to assist in Greece’s recovery effort, the focus being on the already SAE supported program, “Plant Your Roots in Greece.”
Corresponding Secretary Thanasi Vrettas called the meeting to order and welcomed the assembly. He introduced newly elected President of the AHC, Dr. Dimitri Pallas. He then invited, Vice-President, Nick Tsalis, to complete the introductions of the board of directors, which included: Elena Kerasiotis, Recording Secretary, Mike Chatz, Treasurer, and Dr. Ted Pantos, Political Action Chair. Board members, George Dimopoulos, Father Nicholas Kyritses, Panorimitis Makarounas, Marios Mihas, George Reganis, George Stefanakis, Demitri Teknos, Tassos Tomaras, and Vassilios Vouharas.
In addition, the following Presidents attended representing their constituent organizations: Epirotic, Ioanna Tsipis and Jim Stolakis, Messenian, Tassos Tomaras, Pancretan Association of Detroit -Pseloretes, George Stefanakis, Macedonian, Vassilios Vouharas, Stereoelladites, Ioannis Liongas, National League of Cyprus, Dr. Demetrios Demetriou, Thessalian, Harriett Stoukas, the Past Supreme President of the Pan Icarian, Nick Tsalis, Esq., Greek American Democratic Caucus of Michigan, Basil Simon, AHEPA District Governor, Tony Manolias, Past District Governor of the Daughters of Penelope, Elena Kerasiotis, Daughters Grosse Pointe Chapter, Dorothea Williams, Father Philimon Karamanos, representatives of the Greek American community of Ann Arbor, Pauline Skinner, and Kostas Boutsikakis, the Vice-president of the Foundation for Modern Greek Studies of Michigan, Larry Stassinos, the director of the Foundation for Modern Greek Studies, Kalliopi Balatsouka, University advisor, Barbara Tecos, and the spouse of Mr. Ted Spyropoulos, Erica.
President of the AHC, Dr. Dimitri Pallas, welcomed guests, and invited them to stay for appetizers, desserts and beverages, immediately following the guest speaker’s remarks, and a question and answer period. Dr. Pallas then congratulated Mr. Spyropoulos and thanked him for his dedication Hellenes of the Diaspora and for visiting Detroit and including us in his efforts to unite the Hellenes of the US in their fundraising efforts. He further encouraged all those in attendance to take the message to their constituents and together support much needed relief for fire-ravaged Greece. He then welcomed Mr. Spyropoulos to address the group.
Mr. Spyropoulos began by summarizing the devastation left by the some 180 fires, which were ignited simultaneously throughout areas of Laconia, Messenia, Olympia, Delphi, Pylos, and Attiki. He stated, “This is an environmental disaster that will impact the climate of the entire European Continent.” The fires have destroyed some 850,000 acres and have caused the deaths of 65-75 victims engulfed by the “inferno.” The economic impact exceeds 150 million euros, and there is a dire need to send financial support to stricken areas immediately.
SAE has participated in teleconferences with the major Greek American organizations and the Greek Archdiocese, and the message is to unite and together focus efforts of the United States. Spyropoulos continues,
“The SAE has chosen to direct their fundraising efforts on the long term reforestation of these devastated areas. The immediate needs of the people will be met, houses will be rebuilt, but it is the long-term ecological recovery which must not be ignored.”
SAE of the United States created the “Plant Your Roots in Greece” Program in response to sweeping fires that swept Greece in the early 1990’s. The program was registered as a non-profit in 1991 and has reforested areas of Samos, Samothraki, Sounion, Messenia, Laconia, and Delphi. Forests are named for San Francisco, New York and Clearwater, to name a few. Each reforestation requires the planting of no less than 4,000 trees at each location. The hosting municipality must provide volunteers for planting, the government provides the appropriate trees for the area as determined by the Department of Agriculture and the municipality receives funds of $10,000 to support needed area improvements.
“The Plant Your Roots in Greece” program is established and has the required infrastructure, approved by the Greek Government, to immediately ramp up the effort. We have the accounts and the system is in place, it is now up to us to unite and encourage our fellow Greek-American’s to support this proven program.”
Questions followed from the audience.
- Who is responsible for watering the newly planted trees?
A. The Municipality is responsible for maintaining the trees and the expected minimum time is no less than two-three years. .
Q. Is their a way for us to direct our funds to fire-relief for victims?
A. Yes, we have two accounts, one for immediate relief and the other for reforestation.
Q. Does Greece have a National seed bank, to protect flora and fauna unique to the affected areas? An example herbs with known medicinal uses, unique and only available in these areas. Will we be able to re-introduce these lost natural resources?
A. Yes, the government maintains a seed bank and can identify local area natural resources and replace appropriately.
Q. How long does it take to begin the process?
A. Existing clearances, developed by program administrators, allow for a 30-day turn around once funds are identified for a project.
Q. How are trees selected and purchased?
A. The Greek government provides and selects the trees for the identified area, and the SAE directs the funds to the municipality. The success of the project is directly related to the support and effort of the municipality and the mayor.
Q. Who monitors the municipalities and the reforested areas?
A. This is one of the major problems; there is a lack of trained park rangers, “agrofilakes”. In addition, Greece must be more aggressive in their efforts to obtain EU funding for the maintenance of its forests. The money is available but efforts must be taken to assure that Greece obtains her proper share, to support efforts that relate to the protection of its environment.
Many in attendance felt the need to focus on humanitarian needs, the immediate needs of the people most harmed by the fires, others wanted to focus on the long-term reforestation and ecological concerns. Mr. Spyropoulos emphasized that both areas were available and distributed green fundraising cards with account contribution information.
Father Nicholas Kyritses offered a closing prayer, for the souls that had perished in the fire, and for the relief of those left to deal with the recovery.
Finally, Dr. Pallas shared a touching story. There was a Cypriot volunteer assisting with the recovery effort who assisted a villager with saving his home from the flames. When the grateful homeowner turned to thank the volunteer, he found that he was from the Island of Cyprus, he was overcome and shared that indeed a act of reciprocity had unknowingly occurred, as he had lost a son in 1974 fighting for the liberation of Cyprus from invading Turkey.
The message is clear, we with must remain united and report fundraising efforts to the SAE to prepare an accurate report of contributions made by the Hellenes of the United States. All agreed that their organizations would take immediate steps to assist Greece in her hour of need.
All Organization Update –
Greek Ambassador, Alexandros Mallias, hosted an all Organization Leadership emergency session in Washington, DC on September 14, 2007 to unify fundraising efforts on behalf of reconstruction efforts in Greece due to the devastating fires that have left large areas of the country devastated. Decisions reported by Dimitri Pallas, President of the American Hellenic Congress are as follows:
- National Telethon to be investigated at national level
- Local Area fundraising efforts are to focus on reforestation, Plant Your Roots in Greece.
- Political Action Drive to encourage continued funding support by US Government USAID
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