June 7, 2013
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America sent a letter today to the thirty-six representatives of Greek-American and Greek-Cypriot organizations, who participated in the April 3, 2013 meeting, His Eminence had called at the Archdiocese Headquarters, in order to support the People of Cyprus and offer specific and focused humanitarian support.
The Letter of the Archbishop follows in its entirety:
Dear Participants for the Cyprus Relief Fund,
Christ is Risen!
In our continuing effort for the good people of Cyprus since we gathered at the Archdiocese on April 3rd, we have explored possibilities of assistance to our brothers and sisters in the Republic of Cyprus who face daily hardships due to the financial crisis.
After pertinent and careful examination and in cooperation and with the recommendation of the Government of Cyprus, we have concluded that there are three worthwhile projects to which we can immediately channel our relief efforts through our Holy Archdiocese. These projects, in brief, are the following:
- The establishment of Centers for the Protection and Care of Children (ages 6-12) in locations where there is high unemployment, so that the unemployed parents can find some relief in the daily care of their children. The annual cost for each Center is €70.250 (approx. $91,000). Depending on the amount of the collected funds, there is a possibility for establishing several such Centers throughout Cyprus.
- The assistance to the existing Day Care Centers for people with autism. These centers, which are under the auspices of Mrs. Elsie Christofias, ex First Lady of Cyprus, service approximately 120 adults and children daily and they are located in various cities. Depending on their location the cost for running each program is as follows:
a) For Lemessos € 12.611 (approx. $16,394)
b) For Lefkosia € 10.588 (approx. $13,764)
c) For Paphos € 3.884 (approx. $ 5,049) - The assistance to the Childrens’ Rehab Center which offers medical treatment to approximately 80 adults and children daily who have mobility issues. The Center is under the Cyprus Red Cross whose president is Mrs. Photeini Papadopoulou, former First Lady of Cyprus. The total operational cost for the Center in 2012 was € 328.025 (approx. $426,432). However, any amount of assistance would be welcomed.
In reviewing these options and assessing our abilities, it is my firm belief that when we work together and in harmony towards a specific goal, the results of our accomplishments are better and more effective. Therefore, I kindly ask each one of you, as a representative of your organization, to decide which project your organization would embrace, so that your efforts and kind contribution become more meaningful and offer the much needed assistance to each of these Centers. The funds that you raise for the benefit of the Center you select, will be used in their entirety for the designated project. The name of the specific donor organization will be recognized with a permanent record of this significant benevolent act.
We pray that our God, the Lord of love and mercies, will assist all of us in the noble effort of contributing as much as possible towards the sacred cause of assisting our brothers and sisters in Cyprus, especially the children.
With love and esteem in our Risen Lord,
† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
