One of the Archdiocese’s priorities for 2020, the establishment of centres to combat drug dependency, is a step closer to becoming reality thanks to one Greek Australian’s generous contribution.
Businessman Nick Andrianakos has committed to offer a 10 to 15 acre property for the Melbourne drug rehabilitation centre, as well as a donation of $1 million to kick-off its operation.
“In the end, the things we have in life, we don’t take them with us. We end up leaving this world exactly as we entered it. With this in mind, I realised that I too, need to do something to help our youth who have been unlucky in falling victim to drug abuse,” Mr Andrianakos told Neos Kosmos explaining what prompted the decision.
Publicly thanking Mr Andrianakos, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios announced that in honour of his contribution, a chapel will be built inside the centre dedicated to St Nicholas and the events hall will be named after the Greek Australian benefactor.
“I truly take my hat off to his sensitivity and unique generosity,” Archbishop Makarios stated, following an event last week where Mr Andrianakos was conferred with “the Order of Christ-loving” medal as a token of appreciation for his contribution.
As announced by the Archdiocese, a second rehab centre, under the same name ELPIS, will follow in Sydney.
This is not the first time Mr Andrianakos has led the way as a philanthropist in the Greek community, having funded, among others, the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Alphington Grammar.
Source: neoskosmos.com