World Council of Hellenes (SAE) President Andrew A. Athens announced on Wednesday that SAE will join other Hellenes in raising funds for the victims of the catastrophe caused by tsunami in Southeast Asia.

In a letter to the SAE Board, the delegates, the Networks and the Coordinating Councils of SAE, Mr. Athens stated the need to participate in helping the families of the approximately 150,000 killed by the tsunami and the almost 1million people who lost their homes and other property.

οΏ½It is our responsibility to pray for the victims and to raise funds to support their families in this extraordinarily trying times,οΏ½ Mr. Athens wrote to SAEοΏ½s members. οΏ½It is true that the Orthodox churches around the world have been raising funds for this purpose. The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) are doing the same. We must make our own contribution.

οΏ½Hellenes even from areas that are very poor and have their own basic needs, such the Newly Independent States in the Black Sea area have called to offer help,οΏ½ Mr. Athens said. To set the pace, Mr. Athens stated that he will contribute the first $5,000, but emphasized that all contributions, of any size, are welcome and that each person should contribute according to his or her circumstances.