On September 17, “Medicane Ianos” severely hit the Ioanian island of Kefalonia. Pictures and videos have emerged since that day showing the extensive damage on the island. Kefalonia heavily relies on tourism during the summer, and for many residents on the island this is their main source of income. After a summer, where COVID-19 greatly impacted the tourism on the island, Kefalonia and its people really need our help in their hour of need.
As a Kefalonitissa myself, I am deeply saddened by what has happened to the beautiful island that I have spent so many of my summers at. Seeing all the pictures of our beautiful Kefalonia that are now unrecognizable is heartbreaking. Being so far away in Australia, at first, I felt helpless. But even if we cannot go to the island ourselves to help out with the clean up and getting the island back to how it used to be, there are many other ways we can help.
The support from around the world has already been amazing, but much help is still needed. If you are in New York please read below as you might be able to assist if you are able.
Voula Kavallieratos Pristouris has organised a collection of items currently needed in Kefalonia. There will be three drop off locations in Brooklyn, Bayside and Garden City for all those who would like to help. The last day for collection will be next Monday (September 28). Items will then be shipped to Kefalonia.
Suggested contribution types:
Clothing (men, women, children and babies)
Shoes
Blankets, quilts
Bed sheets (twin, full, and toddler )
Towels
Jackets
Socks
Long-lasting foods, such as:
Various cookies (small packages)
Nuts (small packages)
Pastels
Canned food (with autonomous opening)
Water
Evaporated milk
Juices
Plastic spoons and forks
Baby items, such as:
Baby bottles
Creams (ready-made, in individual jars)
Baby wipes
Diapers
Baby & toddler clothes & shoes
Personal hygiene items, such as:
Toilet paper,
Sanitary napkins
Shampoo-shower gel
Toothpastes and toothbrushes
Soaps
Diapers for the elderly
Sanitary material, such as:
Cotton
Gauze
Bandages
Physiological sera
Antihistamine ointments
Antiseptics
Self-adhesive gauze for wounds
Drop off locations:
Brooklyn (Voula’s house – please send her a private message on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/voula.kavallieratospristouris )
Bayside – The French Workshop 38-39 Bell Boulevard
Garden City – The French Workshop 191 7th street
Theodora Pantelatos Christophorou has set up a GoFundMe page raising funds for the people of Kefalonia. The aim is to purchase food, water, and essential supplies for the people. If anyone would like to make a monetary donation, you can do so with the following link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/kefalonia-relief-2020
Julie Karatzis from Cartoules Press will be donating all proceeds from her online orders placed until Monday 5th October 2020 towards Kefalonia Hurricane Relief efforts. Please visit https://www.cartoulespress.com/. This is a great excuse to start your Christmas Shopping early. On the website you will find handmade gift items, home goods, greeting cards, art prints and stickers that are guaranteed to bring a little taste of Greece into your life.
Tony Kariotis from the popular Instagram blog iamgreece has made available for purchase a stunning photo of Assos that he took a couple of weeks ago while he was in Kefalonia. 100% of the proceeds from this photo will be donated to relief funds in Greece. Photo available on https://www.greece-media.com/greece-relief.
No matter where we are in the world, we can all help!!!
By Athena Sirmanoglou
