The Hellenic Initiative Launches ‘Plant a Tree in Greece’ Campaign

The Hellenic Initiative (THI) has launched a campaign titled “Plant a Tree in Greece”, which aims to have a measurable positive impact on Greece by reforesting the land and restoring the livelihoods destroyed in the wildfires of 2021.

In response to the crisis in the summer of 2021, The Hellenic Initiative launched an online campaign for wildfire relief and raised over 600,000 dollars from 4,500 donors in 47 countries. Among the campaign’s main supporters was John Pappajohn, a native of Evia, who contributed 100,000 dollars.

THI began deploying these funds by planting 2,200 trees in Evia, in the areas of Rovies, Limni, and Papades.

THI continues this campaign with an ongoing global initiative in which Greeks of the Diaspora and Philhellenes will have the opportunity to purchase a tree for 25 dollars to be planted in Greece.  This cost will cover the planting of the tree, its care for the crucial two first years, and related sustainability efforts in Greece.

THI successfully completed its first mission on Hymettus Mountain in Athens, with We4All earlier in May. Photo source: @The Hellenic Initiative

“Planting a tree in Greece not only furthers THI’s dual mission of crisis relief and economic development – but it provides a way for virtually any member of the Greek Diaspora globally to directly participate,” THI Board Chairman Andrew N. Liveris said.

Photo source: @The Hellenic Initiative

Trees can be planted for any occasion, to mark a life event, or to celebrate or memorialize a loved one. Large programs of 500 trees (12,500 dollars) or more may be customized in collaboration with THI.

The program has already secured its first donors. Peter and Kathryn Yatrakis have generously contributed 10,000 dollars to the Plant A Tree campaign.

“My maternal grandmother, after whom I am named, came from Edipsos in Evia, so contributing to tree planting not only in Evia but in all of Greece is an important initiative for us,” said Kathryn, who served as the College Dean of Academic Affairs at Columbia University from 1989-2016.

THI has partnered with We4All, an award-winning non-profit organization based in Greece for the planting of trees.