Χειρα Βοηθειας - where it all began...
Issie McLean remembers the very beginnings of the work to support those in need in Apokoronas.
“I started work on this issue in 2010 with a good friend of mine Mrs. Tessa Lynn from Kalamitsi Amigdali. We had been involved with raising money for Dog Charities over the previous 4 or 5 years and in late 2010 we decided to do something to help the elderly and families in need in our area. We started with little table stalls in Sinatra’s Bar in Georgioupolis. Pete and Kate always made us very welcome. I want to thank them for helping a worthy cause. In the beginning we had a game “guess how many beans are in the jar”. I can tell you that little jar raised a lot of money!
Next we got a wicker basket and asked Erezmeia of the Ariadne Supermarket in Georgioupolis to put the basket in the shop with a sign in Greek and English which said “Spread the Christmas cheer, lend a hand here!” The sign asked each customer to place a small item of food in the basket. It was not too long before the basket was filled and it kept being filled up until Christmas.
With the money we raised and donations from suppliers, including the Sweet House, we managed to fill 15 large boxes of food.
Father Dimitris, Mrs.Christina Stavroulakis, and her mother in law helped distribute them.
The date set for the distribution was 21st December – my birthday! With their box, we also gave each family a little blanket made from wool sent to us by Scottish friends and made up here in Crete. I especially remember some were done by a very elderly lady called Edna who did a wonderful job. What a lovely way to spend my birthday!
It was rather sad too, when I realized we were going to visit people, not just in Georgioupolis, but also in Likotinara,
in Vrysses, in Nippos and in Mathes.
I had no idea that people needed so much help. The level of need made a deep impression on me. At home that evening I was very uneasy and thought that something more had to be done to help the many families that are in need. I also knew I could never manage such a task on my own.
I approached Mr Sifis Stavroulakis, Vice-Mayor of Georgioupolis and asked for his help. I asked if he could arrange a meeting with all the priests of the villages to see if they would help in some way. My idea was that each priest would know who needed help and we could build something from there. A meeting was called in the Town Hall. About 30 -40 priests came. Some keen to help; others not wishing to get involved. But it was a start.
We decided to give out boxes at Easter and, with the help of the Stavroulakis family, the Mayor and all their contacts, food rolled into the Georgioupolis Church ready for distribution. I believe we filled around 250 boxes – a fantastic effort. A huge amount of clothing was also collected.
The Church in Kefalas and many people from other villages became involved in raising money and donating goods. It was a wonderful effort. Then a very good working committee was organized and so Xeira Boetheias was founded and has gone from strength to strength raising money at events all over Apokoronas.
I would like to thank the people who give their time and energy to help others and seek no thanks for it. Thankfully there are a lot of them here in Crete…Greek people included, who have the largest of hearts when it comes to giving to others. This is what I call being a good human being.”
“I started work on this issue in 2010 with a good friend of mine Mrs. Tessa Lynn from Kalamitsi Amigdali. We had been involved with raising money for Dog Charities over the previous 4 or 5 years and in late 2010 we decided to do something to help the elderly and families in need in our area. We started with little table stalls in Sinatra’s Bar in Georgioupolis. Pete and Kate always made us very welcome. I want to thank them for helping a worthy cause. In the beginning we had a game “guess how many beans are in the jar”. I can tell you that little jar raised a lot of money!
Next we got a wicker basket and asked Erezmeia of the Ariadne Supermarket in Georgioupolis to put the basket in the shop with a sign in Greek and English which said “Spread the Christmas cheer, lend a hand here!” The sign asked each customer to place a small item of food in the basket. It was not too long before the basket was filled and it kept being filled up until Christmas.
With the money we raised and donations from suppliers, including the Sweet House, we managed to fill 15 large boxes of food.
Father Dimitris, Mrs.Christina Stavroulakis, and her mother in law helped distribute them.
The date set for the distribution was 21st December – my birthday! With their box, we also gave each family a little blanket made from wool sent to us by Scottish friends and made up here in Crete. I especially remember some were done by a very elderly lady called Edna who did a wonderful job. What a lovely way to spend my birthday!
It was rather sad too, when I realized we were going to visit people, not just in Georgioupolis, but also in Likotinara,
in Vrysses, in Nippos and in Mathes.
I had no idea that people needed so much help. The level of need made a deep impression on me. At home that evening I was very uneasy and thought that something more had to be done to help the many families that are in need. I also knew I could never manage such a task on my own.
I approached Mr Sifis Stavroulakis, Vice-Mayor of Georgioupolis and asked for his help. I asked if he could arrange a meeting with all the priests of the villages to see if they would help in some way. My idea was that each priest would know who needed help and we could build something from there. A meeting was called in the Town Hall. About 30 -40 priests came. Some keen to help; others not wishing to get involved. But it was a start.
We decided to give out boxes at Easter and, with the help of the Stavroulakis family, the Mayor and all their contacts, food rolled into the Georgioupolis Church ready for distribution. I believe we filled around 250 boxes – a fantastic effort. A huge amount of clothing was also collected.
The Church in Kefalas and many people from other villages became involved in raising money and donating goods. It was a wonderful effort. Then a very good working committee was organized and so Xeira Boetheias was founded and has gone from strength to strength raising money at events all over Apokoronas.
I would like to thank the people who give their time and energy to help others and seek no thanks for it. Thankfully there are a lot of them here in Crete…Greek people included, who have the largest of hearts when it comes to giving to others. This is what I call being a good human being.”