As Greece reels from the worst wildfires in centuries, which have burned an area the size of Rhode Island this summer and killed at least 64 people since August 24, New York’s Greek-American community is mobilizing to help their “patrioti,” the Greek word for countrymen.
This is the time of the year when many Greek immigrants return to visit their ancestral home grounds to visit family and friends they left behind, and the fires; their possible causes and horrible aftermath are the near-universal topic of conversation in Greek communities across the city.
Here in Queens, which has the largest Greek community outside of Greece, relief efforts are being coordinated by the Federation of Hellenic Societies, a non-profit umbrella group, headquartered in Astoria.
“We’re having an executive meeting,” said Demetrios Kalamaras, acting president of the Federation. Kalamaras said that representatives of about 30 local Greek groups were invited to meet at the Federation’s headquarters, along with representatives from many area elected officials.
“It’s a little difficult at the moment,” he explained, “my father and a lot of the old-timers are back in Greece right now and I’m the only official here.”
Nevertheless, Kalamaras outlined the actions the Federation, better known for organizing the Greek Independence Day parade and “Miss Greek Independence” pageant, has already taken.
“We’ve opened accounts with five local banks which have had good relations with our community in the past,” he said. “As a special accommodation, they’ve agreed to place signs in the bank displaying the account numbers, and encouraging their customers to make contributions by directly depositing money in the accounts.”
Takis Nicholopoulos, past-president of the Pan-Laconian Foundation said, “As soon as we heard about the destruction, I called all the presidents (of other groups) I could contact.” Laconia is a prefecture of Greece, whose capital is Sparta.
“I’ve spoken with my family,” Nicholopoulos said. “Fortunately most of the destruction is north and west of where they live.”
In addition to the efforts of secular groups, a spokesperson for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America confirmed that a special collection plate for fire relief will be passed in every Greek Orthodox church in the Archdiocese on consecutive Sundays, September 2 and September 9.
Queens businessperson George Makkos, when contacted on the island of Mykonos, said, “It’s okay here, but there’s very great concern; every TV is turned to the news and it’s all people are talking about.” Makkos hoped that more aid for the afflicted areas would be forthcoming. “It’s tragic … horrible,” he said.
How to help
The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, a non-profit corporation, has established accounts with five New York banks for a Fire Relief Fund for Greece. Anyone can make a tax-deductible deposit in these accounts, or send a check to Federation of Hellenic Societies Fire Relief Fund, 22-51 29th Street, Astoria, NY 11105.
Atlantic Bank Account Number: 0009081631
Marathon Bank Account Number: 1000029867
Commerce Bank Account Number: 7922703702
Millennium Bank BCP
Account Number: 1330002679
First Central Savings Bank
Account Number: 0700002140
