Greeks around the world need to unite to help Kefalonia: Here's how!

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 5^th 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