PRESS RELEASE

ONGOING SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS FROM THE

‘MARIANNA V. VARDINOYANNIS FOUNDATION’ AND THE ‘ELPIDA’ ASSOCIATION:

HOMELESS SHELTERS OF THE UNESCO CLUB OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PIRAEUS AND ISLANDS

 

Friday, 10 April 2020

 

The ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with Cancer and the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation are providing ongoing support – through a number of actions – for our fellow human beings suffering greater hardship from the coronavirus pandemic.

 

On Friday, 10 April 2020, at the initiative of President Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, yet another delivery of food and necessities was made to the Social Shelters in Piraeus and Nikaia of the UNESCO Club of the Department of Piraeus and Islands, in support of homeless persons and needy families.

 

Specifically, 160 packages of foodstuffs such as olive oil, condensed milk, legumes, sugar and coffee, along with 15 lambs and 240 chickens, were delivered so that these families could celebrate the Easter holiday.

 

At the same time, equipment for protection against Covid-19 was provided, including 5,000 masks and 20 litres of antiseptic in 500 ml containers, to protect those be hosted at these shelters.

 

Mrs. Vardinoyannis, who has always supported the Social Support Structures for the homeless of the UNESCO Club of the Department of Piraeus and Islands, spoke via Skype with the President of the Club, Ioannis Maronitis, conveying her wishes and support in these trying hours for our country.    Mrs. Vardinoyannis and Mr. Maronitis had the following conversation:

MV: I’ve missed you so much. The children, the people there who showered me with so much love. I thought of the wonderful times when we cooked with the children, making sweets that we all ate together, each of us sharing our problems. I keep you in my thoughts and in my heart. With patience and so much love, as we have joined forces to overcome this crisis. I’ll be with you soon. I send you my thoughts and my love. I hope I can come meet with you soon – so we can all eat together.

IM: Our fairy godmother is always with us, always close to us in our hearts and souls, and on behalf of 100 employees, 300 homeless persons and 400 families I thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of all of these people, because you are a source of support for life, hope and the future, and we all feel better with your hope and support. We will relive those moments.  Be safe, because the country needs you. We need you like the desert needs water.

MV: Know that I’m with you all the time.   Whatever you need in terms of medical supplies, food, moral support – I’ll talk individually with each person in need. To give them strength and courage. Happy Easter!  May God light our way, may the Virgin Mother protect us, and may everything turn out well.

IM: Happy Easter, and we’ll have a happy Easter with your love. We are protected by your love, angel of our hearts, ambassador of good will.  A very big thank-you from all of the people here, and right now we need your moral support above all, as you know you have already given us material support. I think everything will turn out well for this beautiful country, because we are proud because it is perhaps the most protected country in the world.

MV:  I congratulate you on the great work you have been doing for so many years. I am at your side and I have experienced it. You are a wonderful collaborator and you work with the UNESCO authorities, doing important work. Together, we have done so much for people in need. Know that anyone at the shelter who wants to talk to me about any personal problem can call me. My eternal love to you and to all of the people you are protecting there, who need us.  I congratulate you on your work.

IM: You are a beacon and a guide – the most hopeful message we can receive at this time and the most important support. Happy Easter! .

MV: And we should stay inside. Happy Easter!

 

The donation from the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation was made with funds that had been earmarked for the Foundation’s actions for the ‘Thermopylae – Salamis 2020’ Anniversary Year, which will be used in full to support vulnerable groups, as announced recently.

ELPIDA’s contribution is being funded by the Association’s Social Solidarity Fund for 2020, in support of vulnerable groups impacted by the pandemic crisis.