The Hellenic Relief Foundation annual Easter distribution of food items and the Easter lamb took place on Holy Tuesday at the outlet of Hellenic Volunteer Relief in Petralona. Mr. Kostas Zachariadis came from New York for this mission.
In total 780 packages were distributed to families in Athens, Piraeus, Tavros, Agios Ioannis Rentis, Nikaia, Kalivia, Churches in Petralona, Spetses, Gytheio, Konitsa, Chania, Kerkyra, Thessaloniki, Epeiros, and Trikala.
The packages included fresh lamb, (depending on the size of the family: one-quarter, half, or whole lamb), potatoes, cheese, butter, sweet Easter bread, eggs, egg dye, various pies, chocolate eggs, and fruit, (oranges and mandarines).
The Athenian society under the direction of the vice-president Mr. Aggelis delivered to families in need checks of 25 Euro to be used for necessities from Sklavenitis Super Market.
Kostas Zachariadis emotionally thanked and applauded all the volunteers and head volunteer Maria Siourdis who organized this paradigmatic distribution. He also acknowledged the vital role that the Archangel Michael Community of Port Washington played in ensuring this distribution with the dinner dance held for the purpose of raising funds for this special Easter delivery.
On the same day as Petralona, an ample distribution took place in Kerkyra. 200 families received Easter item parcels and fresh lamb. Also, four whole lambs were donated to the local chapter of “Ηamogelo tou Paidiou”.
Additionally, lamb and other food items were allocated and delivered to the Old Age Homes in Konitsa, Piraeus o Litrotis, and the Meropeio of Kallithea.
Few days earlier, the annual Easter Celebration took place on the Saturday of Lazarus at the hospitable Meropio Institution. This party was dedicated to the 250 children and their families that are supported by HRF.
New clothes, and new shoes together with chocolate eggs and Easter Candles were the contents of each package; in addition to various food items donated by Greek companies and the Hellenic relief, the Athenian Society under their President Mr. Eleftherios Skiadas gave all the Anastasi Candles together with 50 checks of 25 Euros each.
Sponsors of this event were Arla Foods, Elomas Super Market, Ariston, Alfa Pastry, 3E Coca-Cola, and Karamolegkos, Fraggos AEBE, Meridian, Kydalion SA, Nikos Konstantopoulos, and Ohonos SA.
The students of the American Webster University (Athens Campus) contributed their help to package all items and assist with the distribution during both deliveries.