Hellenic Telecommunications Organization : OTE Group supports 17 non profit organizations for children with €570.000

OTE Group supported in 2017, for yet another year, seventeen non-profit organizations helping children, with a total amount of €570.000. The Group has been supporting children in need for the last 18 years, with its so far total contribution exceeding the amount of €7.5 million.

With the support of OTE Group, the organizations cover operating and personnel expenses, as well as other expenses such as medical equipment,building infrastructure and educational and recreational programs for children.

OTE Group's Chairman and CEO Mr. Michael Tsamaz visited the 'Elefsina Open Center for the protection of children and families - Friendly Nest', which was among the organizations supported by the Group last year. During his visit to the center, he stated: 'Children are the future. It's our duty to stand by them when they need us. I have great appreciation for those people who have devoted their lives to child care. Thus, I believe that our long-term support to non-profitable organizations for children is among our top sustainable development actions'.

The 'Elefsina Open Center for the protection of children and families - Friendly Nest' takes care of children from Elefsina and nearby areas. Children from Greece as well as from other countries (Albania, Russia, Romania, Turkey, etc.) have lunch, do their homework and participate in the center's various educational activities, on a daily basis.

'The Elefsina Open Center today offers support to 160 children aged 6 to 17 years. Our daily needs are extensive; therefore we are grateful for the help OTE Group provides over the past 3 years. Mr. Tsamaz's visit to our center is a great honor, as it proves the Group's social sensitivity', Mr. Haralambos Pyrounakis, President of the Association stated.

Non-profit organizations daily needs have increased

The needs of the organizations caring for children have significantly increased over the last years in Greece, mainly due to the crisis.

'Our mission is to provide psychological and financial support to children and young people facing poverty, social exclusion, domestic violence, or even chronic diseases and disabilities. Every single year, we manage to improve the living conditions of more than 30,000 children all over Greece. We couldn't have made it without the support of companies such as OTE, especially amid the challenging environment in Greece,' Mr. Christos Bartsokas, Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics and President of the 'Together for Children' association, also supported by OTE Group, stated.

On behalf of 'MDA Hellas- Muscular Dystrophy Association', the President Ms. Vana Lavida highlighted: 'OTE has embraced the work of MDA Hellas almost from the beginning of our operation. Its contribution is invaluable, as it has contributed significantly to the creation of the 1st Special Unit for Neuromuscular Diseases at the General Children's Hospital 'Agia Sofia' and to the acquisition of the MDA Hellas HOUSE, which gives us safety and strength to keep on offering to people'.

Care for more than 100 thousand children every year

OTE Group over the last 18 years, has supported more than 58 charitable organizations, providing care to more than 1.8 million children across Greece.

The non-profit organizations supported by the OTE Group in 2017 are:

• ELEPAP - Rehabilitation for the Disabled;
• 'MDA HELLAS' - Muscular Dystrophy Association;
• The Smile of the Child;
• 'Together for Children' Association (association of 9 charitable organizations)[1];
• 'Open Arms' - Friends of Social Pediatrics and Medicine;
• 'Amymoni' - PanHellenic Association of Parents, Guardians and Friends of People with Visual Impairments and Additional Disabilities;
• The Elefsina Center of Love 'Friendly Nest';
• Child and Adolescent's Center;
• 'Melissa' Orphanage for Girls;
• 'SKEP' - Association of Social Responsibility for Children and Youth;
• 'Cerebral Palsy Greece - Open Door';
• 'Floga' - Parents Association of Children with Cancer;
• Make A Wish Greece;
• Pediatric Trauma Care;
• Hellenic Solidarity Caravan;
• Unit for Autism and Mental Disability 'ELPIDA';
• Association for Voluntary Offer and Support 'Orizontas';

The 'Hellenic Solidarity Caravan', 'Unit for Autism and Mental Disability ELPIDA' as well as the 'Association for Voluntary Offer and Support 'Orizontas' organizations were selected by the OTEGroup employees from all over Greece, through online voting.