08/07/2009
VOLUNTARY ACTION GROUPS RECEIVE THE BACKING OF TITAN CEMENT CO. S.A.
The “Leonidas Canellopoulos” Cultural Centre, in Elefsina, welcomes the “Together for Children” Association
The “Leonidas Canellopoulos” Cultural Centre in Elefsina, one of the town’s most prized amenities, is currently illuminated by the happy faces of the children cared for by the ten member societies of the “Together for Children” Association, with exhibitions of the children’s paintings and photographs showing scenes from their everyday lives. The two exhibitions – one comprising art works by the children cared for and the other featuring photographs from the recently published volume dedicated to the work of “Together for Children” and sponsored by TITAN - were officially opened in the evening of Monday 6 July, in the recently renovated courtyard of the Cultural Centre, which has been expanded and has now acquired a small theatre. This year’s exhibition is the fifth in succession to have been held here by TITAN, honouring the memory of Leonidas Canellopoulos.
As Nellos Canellopoulos, Director of External Relations and TITAN board member, pointed out in his remarks, “voluntary action must come from the heart. It is more than a charitable gesture, it is a demonstration of genuine social conscience. When we choose to express our love of our fellow men through voluntary action, we are nourishing our own souls”.
The Mayor of Elefsina, Mr. Giorgos Abatzoglou, remarked on the “special need for voluntary action and other forms of social solidarity”, stressing that Elefsina is “already home to a number of community organizations dedicated mainly to the care of children in need”.
In an expression of its gratitude the “Together for Children” Association presented an honorary plaque to Mr. Theodoros Papalexopoulos, who expressed the hope that other organizations will emulate the work of the association.
A brief presentation of the work of the association was made by its President, Mr. Christos Bartsokas, and one of its founding members, Mr. Ioannis Papadatos, spoke of his own experiences of voluntary action. A moving account was offered by Mrs. Georgia Kafousopoulou of how her 25-year-old daughter Valia has been helped by the Pnoi Society, Friends of Children in Intensive Care.
Mr. Haralambos Pyrounakis spoke on the subject of voluntary work in Elefsina and the event concluded with a performance of Manos Hatzidakis’ songs given by the children’s choir of the Theotokos Foundation.
The exhibition will remain open until 31 August.
Leonidas Canellopoulos Cultural Centre
37, Dragoumi St., Elefsina
(on the seafront, next to the IKA offices)
Tel. 210 5537 302
Open daily 10:00-14:00 and 18:00-22:00
Closed: Mondays and 15th August
Sponsors: TITAN Cement S.A. and the Paul & Alexandra Canellopoulos Foundation