FUNDRAISING DRIVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF GREECE

The Greek people have been suffering under the pressure of extreme austerity measures. Plagued by a deep recession, unemployment that reaches 20% and almost 50% among the youth, a rise in violent crime, and a state unable to properly address these issues, many people in Greece are suffering. Several families do not have access to food, medicines and other basic needs.

As people of Greek heritage living abroad, we feel an obligation to help. The extended suffering has prompted the AHC Board of Directors to initiate an effort to collect donations that will be earmarked for helping the people of Greece in need.

After a successful fundraising effort in 2007 to help with reforestation efforts in Greece, where the AHC collected and donated almost $40,000 among the Greek-American community, we once again seek the community's support for this important cause.

The American Hellenic Council, through its 501(c)3 charitable fund has setup as special fund to collect aid for Greece. For this purpose, we currently accept:

• · MONETARY DONATIONS :
  
  

  Make out your check to the “American Hellenic Council Charitable Fund”. Please write “FD for Greece” on the memo and mail to: American Hellenic Council, 8124 West Third Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90048

• · IN-KIND DONATIONS: We accept in-kind donations of clothing, medical supplies, canned food furniture and other non-perishables. Our goal would be to compile a shipment where it would be economical to ship to Greece. If you are interested in making an in-kind donation, please contact us via email directly with what you are interested in donating, when and where. We currently accept in-kind donations in Los Angeles, CA. If you are interested in collecting donations in other US cities, please get in touch with us via email.

OBJECTIVE:

Our goal would be to raise $50,000 for allocation. ALL monetary donations will be exclusively earmarked for direct aid to Greece. Our goal would be to allocate it to in direct humanitarian form for the purchase of needed medicines and food for the local population and from local sources in order to stimulate the local economy while at the same time providing relief.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY DONATIONS WILL REACH THE ONES IN NEED?

None of the monetary donations earmarked for this purpose will be used for “administration costs”, so donors can be assured that 100% of their donations will reach the destination. Several members of the AHC Board of Directors go to Greece often and they will be responsible for locating one or more suitable recipients for the proceeds. A report will be produced at the end of the charitable drive that will document how and where the donations were allocated. The report will be posted on our website and will be mailed or emailed to everyone who contributed more than $250.

HOW ABOUT MATCHING PLEDGES?

Matching pledges are donations that match the funds raised by the general public. For example, someone that commits to a matching pledge up to $10,000, for every dollar donated by the community, that donor will donate an additional dollar (up to a total of $10,000). A matching pledge motivates smaller donors in donating knowing that for every dollar they give, they are actually raising more towards the cause! If you are interested in making a “matching” pledge in the amount of more than $1000, please contact us via email directly.

TAX DEDUCTIBILITY OF DONATIONS:

All Charitable Contributions for this purpose will be classified as a contribution to the AHC Charitable Fund, a 501(c)3 organization. A receipt will be provided upon request to the donor. In general, such contributions are tax-deductible for both businesses and individuals. For tax deductibility in your specific situation, please consult with your tax advisor.

Please consider contributing to this effort!
Even a small amount can help a needy family !