The Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) raised $74,258 at their annual radiothon, conducted with the help of 3XY radio station. Many hundreds of Greek Australians rang up the station to give their own contribution and acknowledge the work AGWS has done for the Greek community in the last 40 years. Entrepreneurs, associations, churches, various clubs – be they cultural or athletic – as well as ordinary citizens and pensioners, stood once more on the side of AGWS, thus proving that their donation will return back to those people who are frail or have health problems.
The radiothon took place on Saturday 11 August, and Wednesday 15 August and the great support from the Greek community made this year’s radiothon the most successful for AGWS until now, as Ms Voula Messimeri-Kianidis, Executive Director of AGWS said.
“After the generous response from the Greek community, we are very pleased to announce that this year’s radiothon had the highest pledge level,” Ms Messimeri-Kianidis said to Neos Kosmos.
Increased contributions from businesses within the Greek community was characteristic of this year’s radiothon.
“All of the contributors were within the Greek community. However, this time the number of contributions from Greek businesses has increased significantly, thus helping the AGWS to continue to provide its services to Greek community members. As usual, there were many contributions made by individuals, older population, as well as different brotherhoods and associations,” the executive of AGWS said.
The money raised for AGWS – that this year is celebrating 40 years of service to the Greek community – will go towards services that the welfare society doesn’t get funded for.
“The money raised will be used for a number of different areas, while we get the government grants. For the last ten years we haven’t had the money to employ social workers, so they get employed thanks to fundraising. Social workers are employed in short-term counselling, crisis intervention, advocacy and support with old people, as well as for new Greek migrants. There is still a number of unfunded commissions that we have to gather the money for.”
“I would like to thank Neos Kosmos, 3XY, SBS Radio and 3ΖΖΖ, as without media support we wouldn’t be able to reach the community. I would like to thank the community itself, that contributed to this year’s extremely successful radiothon,” the executive director said.
All interested to make future donations, can ring the AGWS on (03) 9388 9998, and make a pledge.