A lesser publicized crisis in Greece is that of environmental damage. Though Greece’s beaches have gained international recognition for their pristine quality and beauty, they are not immune to the overwhelming plastic and garbage pollution. In recognition of this growing need to stem the tide of pollution, THI decided to renew their support for the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America’s second annual Beach Clean-up in Greece on July 20th, 2019.
The initiative brings together young volunteers of the Hellenic diaspora, together with locals, to spend a day out of their summer vacation volunteering their time to clean a beach. The idea to host a Beach Clean-up in Greece during the summer was inspired by environmentally-oriented discussions at the NHSA conference in Atlanta, Georgia the fall of 2017. NHSA is a 501(c)3 non-profit based in the U.S. that serves as an umbrella organization for Hellenic Student Associations across North America, and promotes Hellenism, education, networking, and overall unity among the younger generation of diaspora Hellenes.
When NHSA approached THI for funding and support of the event, we did not hesitate to respond and embraced the idea of promoting environmental awareness while forming a bridge between Hellenes of the diaspora and Greece in the process.
The IMPACT:
A weight of over 300 pounds of trash has been lifted from Schinias Beach as a result of the NHSA Beach Clean-up. Beyond cleaning the beach, NHSA’s initiative demonstrated the power of synergies, bringing together several non-profit groups for a good cause.
NHSA teamed up with ethelon, a non-profit Greece-based volunteer platform, along with π3, a non-profit that raises awareness about plastic and trash pollution and supports events that promote zero-waste and a sustainable future. Together, they brought over 40 volunteers to Saronida Beach for a day-long beach cleaning, which included shoreline trash collection as well as underwater cleaning supported by the Poseidon Club Dive Center. The event also exemplified the importance of long-term sustainability while promoting the local economy. As a parting gift, NHSA provided all volunteers with t-shirts printed in Greece.
THI is encouraged by the success of NHSA’s event, and proud to be supporting a diversity of initiatives making a positive impact in Greece.
