The idea was to try and start the new year with some good old-fashioned Greek “podariko,” or the tradition of starting things right. Some celebrate this tradition literally and enter their homes with the right foot to bring good luck and good fortune to the home.
I took things a bit more figuratively and created a campaign to start the new year by doing something good, to spread some goodness to the universe– or in this case, specifically to the universe of disenfranchised Greek kids.
I challenged my family and friends, both real and virtual via my social media channels, to join me in pitching in just $21 towards the Greek America Foundation’s #ChildrenOfGreece campaign, which has carefully selected five charities in Greece that are helping to bring some joy into the lives of abandoned and at-risk children.
$21 bucks. That’s all I asked.
I was hoping for maybe 75 or 100 people to respond. And much to my surprise, so far almost 400 people have taken me up on my offer.
What was beautiful was the number of people who chose to make their donations in memory of a loved one or family member, some of whom died this past year from COVID-19, bringing this project to an entirely different level.
Still others dug deep into their pockets and even gave more than what was requested.
All in all– and we’re not done yet– I’m grateful that so many hundreds of people– family, strangers, colleagues and so many strangers took me up on my challenge and pitched in.
We’ve almost passed the $10,000 mark and I’m not giving up. After all, we’re just into the first month of the New Year and there’s a whole lot of good left to do.
If you’ve contributed to our “21 for ’21” campaign— THANK YOU. Be proud of the work you’re supporting. I’ve been in these orphanages and shelters and have met so many of these kids our charity partners are helping. And they deserve it. They need it. And although you may not be able to hear their “thank you,” I can tell you, they are grateful, every time I go.
If you haven’t yet contributed… Here’s the link. Just click here and pitch in your $21 and together, let’s start 2021 on the right foot.
Gregory Pappas
Founder & President
P.S. Click here to see the list of campaign donors (excluding those who requested to remain anonymous).