Onorato Appeals For Greece 'Fire' Donations

State Senator George Onorato renewed his plea last week for concerned residents to join him in making donations to organizations taking contributions to aid the people of Greece as they struggle to recover from the wildfires that ravaged their country recently.

Onorato (D- Astoria) cited the Astoria-based Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York as one of the leading organizations soliciting contributions for Greece's recovery. The lawmaker, who made a $500 donation to the fire recovery fund, said the Federation of Hellenic Societies has established several bank accounts to collect donations and is also accepting checks payable to the Federation of Hellenic Societies Fire Relief Fund. Donations may be sent to the Federation's offices at 22-51 29th St., Astoria, NY 11105.

In making his plea, Onorato stated: "We here in the 12th Senate District, which has the largest Greek population outside of Greece, have a special connection to the people of Greece. At this time of great need, I hope that local residents, if their personal economic means permit, will seek out organizations that are collecting donations to help those who have been most severely affected by the wildfires."

Among many organizations that are accepting donations, Onorato said, are the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (212-570- 3569, www.goarch.org.) and the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (202-232-6300, www.ahepa.org).

- John Toscano