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Diaspora fundraising campaign raises $10,000

Just over $10,000 was raised by the Hellenic Democratic Initiative at its fundraising dinner held on Sunday 8 July

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Diaspora fundraising campaign raises $10,000

Food and other necessities ready to be distributed to those in need form the charity organisation "BOROUME"

12 Jul 2012

Just over $10,000 was raised by the Hellenic Democratic Initiative at its fundraising dinner held on Sunday, 8 July. All money raised will be used to purchase food and other necessary household items for Greek families living in destitute and below the poverty line in Greece. The event, which was a resounding success, was predominantly attended by second and third generation Greek-Australians and is part of a wider Diaspora fundraising campaign organized by the group to help raise funds for Greek families living below the poverty line. The campaign will end on 31 July 2012.

The Hellenic Democratic Initiative has sought the support of Athens based non-profit organization "BOROUME" to help coordinate the distribution of food directly to Greek families in desperate need making sure that the appropriate Greek families receive the benefit of the aid. Group representatives will travel to Greece in August 2012 to personally facilitate such distribution.

The Hellenic Democratic Initiative is a global Hellenic non-profit organization that was established in Melbourne in 2010 by second and third generation Greek-Australians. It has a global membership and aims to promote transparency, social justice and the adoption of the rule of law in Greece and help mobilize the global democratic forces of Hellenism.

The Hellenic Democratic Initiative first rose to prominence in April 2011 when it became the first Diaspora group to undertake a public, bilingual analysis of the first Greek Bailout Agreement. This event was held at the University of Melbourne and was followed by a further public analysis of the second Bailout Agreement at the State Library of Victoria in April 2012. Both events drew significant international attention.

According to the group's President, Mr Vasilis Giavris, "we live in an inter-dependent world in which political, cultural and economic events are interconnected and where emerging global challenges require global analysis, global commitment and a global response". He maintains that "existing realities and emerging challenges require the Hellenic Diaspora not to remain idle and complacent but to champion a new ethos and vision for Hellenism and Greece".

For those wishing to donate to the groups Diaspora Fundraising Campaign they can do so by contributing their donations to the following special purpose bank account:

Hellenic Democratic Initiative - Help Greece Fund: National Australia Bank - BSB: 083 231 Acc: 127572444.
For those wishing to join the group they can do so by emailing the HDI committee at: hellenicinitiative@gmail.com.

You can also follow the group on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/155825097778281/.

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Comments

Congratulations to everyone involved, a great initiative and an great accomplishment. News like this makes me realise that their is hope, knowing that their is second and third generations Greeks from the other side of the earth, that are willing to donate their time and money to help their mother land in time of need. Bravo!
Submitted by Toumba on Thu, 2012-07-12 18:21.
This is ridiculous and expresses the lack of sophistication many of our diaspora exhibit. Greeks in Greece do not need handouts! Greeks in Greece need less corruption and more production. The local diaspora would do well by assisting Greece to reform, to privatise, to lessen the terrible xenophobia which has gripped the country and reduced tourism by 30% in less than 2 years. And what will $10,000 do? Greece has borrowed in excess of 400billion euro in less since 2010 - what Greece needs is reform, flexibility, and more modern education. if you treat Greeks like third world citizens then they will always feel like 3rd world citizens. Dropi to whoever concocted this farce of sending food packets to Greece! Lambis SA
Submitted by LAMBIS on Thu, 2012-07-12 14:57.
While I appreciate and applaud your pathos Lambi, I must disagree with your comments. I attended the function in question and donated wholeheartedly to the group’s endeavours. Why? Because the money in question will go towards supporting specific Greek families and not to the banks, to the government or to public companies.. Families that have children, where both parents are unemployed and they rely on FOOD HANDOUTS.. to eat. Yes, believe it or not, there are thousands of Greek families in this sad predicament. $10,000 (whilst insignificant in your eyes) will go a long way to feed 20-30 families for 2 months via the purchase and allocation of supermarket coupons. No boxes or parcels have (or will) be sent by the group from Australia. The photo relates to the activities of “Boroume” in Greece and not the group. I otherwise agree with the changes referred by you. Indeed the group has extensively published and held forums in support of such changes and the role of Diaspora Hellenes in helping to achieve change. If I can make a small contribution to supporting a few fellow Greeks in need, then I accept the “ntropi”!..
Submitted by CB on Tue, 2012-07-17 18:34.

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