Ambulance Donation Forthcoming

AHEPA Family commitment to earthquake relief focuses on response measures, rebuilding day-care center

By Andrew Kaffes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - It has been over two years since an earthquake devastated the Attica region of Greece, and while relief agencies and the Greek government fulfilled the immediate needs of those affected, the members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and its affiliated organizations from around the world chose to allocate the $220,000 raised for earthquake relief toward the augmentation of rescue mechanisms used by rapid response units and to help rebuild facilities destroyed by the natural disaster.

According to Supreme President Andrew T. Banis, after extensive research, the AHEPA family has identified three beneficiaries that can best utilize the funds raised. On December 14, 2001, the AHEPA family presented to one of the beneficiaries, the Hellenic Red Cross, a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito 113, a mini-van capable of carrying a seven-member emergency rescue unit and its equipment to disaster areas.

"We are confident the mini-van will be an invaluable asset to the Hellenic Red Cross Action Team because of its versatility, maneuverability, and safety features," said Banis.  "The mini-van goes hand-in-hand with our previous donation to the Hellenic Red Cross of sonar detection equipment that can easily be transported in the van."

ELPAM Electronics, Ltd., manufactures the sonar equipment, also known as a Trapped Person Locator Model 310D Mini.  According to Chairman of the Board A. Steve Betzelos, who was in attendance at the presentation to the Hellenic Red Cross, the locator leads the rescue team, quickly and efficiently, to the victim saving precious minutes of fruitless search.

"The sonar equipment donated uses leading edge technology that allows it to 'hear' noises, cries of help, and knocking sounds made by trapped victims," said Betzelos.  "Although we hope it never has to be used, we are confident the locator will be an added beneficial tool that will help save lives."

Currently, the sonar equipment is with the Hellenic Red Cross rescue team in Patra.

Representing the AHEPA family at the mini-van presentation ceremony were:  Banis, Daughters of Penelope Grand President Joanne Booras, Canadian President Xenophon Scoufaras, Betzelos, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors Franklin Manios, and members of the AHEPA family of Hellas District 25 that encompasses Greece and Cyprus.

"We recognize and thank the efforts of the local AHEPA family of District 25 led by George Costas, Jenny Diamantis, George Dussias, Anthony Tsouyopoulos-Gremos, and Panos Liatsos, without whom, our donations could not have come to fruition," said Banis.  "They helped us identify the best highly-technical equipment for the Hellenic Red Cross."

More Help on the Way

The next donation to be made is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 314/35 ambulance to the second beneficiary, Evangelismos Hospital, where there already exists the 10-story AHEPA Wing.  According to Banis, the ambulance is on order and will be delivered this month.

The final recipient of relief funds will be the Municipality of Menidi, one of the hardest-hit areas by the earthquake.  Under the direction of AHEPA, the municipality will allocate approximately $105,000 toward the rebuilding of a children's day-care center that was demolished by the disaster.

In 1999, the AHEPA family raised $220,000 for earthquake relief over a span of three months under the administration of then-Supreme President George J. Dariotis, shattering the goal of $100,000.

AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with 521 chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia.  It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek-Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA has joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith to fight discrimination. The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence.

The AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena.

For more information about the AHEPA family, or any of its programs, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300.  For instant information visit www.ahepa.org.

Officials of the Hellenic Red Cross gather around the newly-donated Mercedes-Benz mini-van gifted by the AHEPA family, December 14, 2001.