An annual philanthropic initiative has proved once again the strength of the Greek community is found in unity, by raising a total of $20,000 in support of the Greece-based NGO Smile of the Child (To hamogelo tou paidiou).
Dozens turned out at the fundraising event on Saturday hosted in Brunswick by the Cretan Brotherhood which offered the space at no cost.
The night included food, music and dancing with artist Doukissa and her orchestra taking the stage to entertain the guests.
The fundraising event, organised by Betty Athanasaki and a team of collaborators, was held after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic but the response met expectations.
“We’ve won the community’s trust. They know that every cent will be sent to Hamogelo tou Paidiou given that we make every invoice public,” Ms Athanasaki told Neos Kosmos.
“These days, the organisation is facing extra pressures with increasing demand for intakes of children who fall victims of abuse and poverty,” she had said in her appeal to the community to support the cause.
Ms Athanasaki became a regular supporter of the Smile of the Child and started organising the annual fundraising after paying a visit to one of the group’s centres in Greece.
The organisation was founded based on the wishes of 10-year-old Andreas Giannopoulos 24 years ago. Young Andreas, led a public 18-month struggle to stay alive in 1995. Before his death, he wished for the creation of the organisation to help children, and inspired the creation of The Smile of the Child.
