When the going gets tough, the tough go partying

20.12.2016

They say that laughter and fun are the best medicine. In order to relieve the stress piled up in 2016, friends in the Greek Shipping Community organized another innovative party that not only raised spirits but raised funds.

Hence, the “fun-d-raising” party was held on Monday, December 12, 2016 at “Rock & Roll” in Kolonaki, and hosted over 200 smiling people from the Greek shipping community.

Dynamarine, The American P&I Club, Lotus Shipping Co. Ltd., Nilimar Holdings S.A., Empire Navigation Inc., Aegean Protective Coatings S.A., SteelShips, Prime Petroleum Services, Seaven Group and YES Forum plus many other special individuals – were among the great Shipping companies and maritime cluster that joined the festive jubilee. The Rock & Roll Club has never seen such glory. “The place was jam packed and buzzing with excitement and a massive spirit of love, joy and giving! Each person was like a link in a chain which as one IS strength personified!” said guest, Mary Arvaniti, TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE GROUP.

The friends who participated in this party are not part of an organized entity and for the last 14 years gather every 2nd or 3rd Christmas for a get together to have fun while at same time financially assist a worthy cause. These friends are business women & men of the Greek Shipping community: Maria Livanou, Dorothea Ioannou, Irene Notias, Theano Kalapotharakou, Viki Rousso, and attorneys Angeliki Stavropoulou, Georgia Bouchoutsou, with new additions Maria Mavroudi, Zoe Lappa-Papamatthaiou, Popi Lyrintzis, Danae Bezantakou and Katerina Stavropoulou and supporters George Xiradakis, Nikos Marmatsouris. The organizing team is volunteers that work in the industry such as Stephanie Karagianni and Effie Kotika.

This year’s cause was to support paid internships run by Project Connect. Project Connect offers hope, encouragement and tangible work experience for shipping students during crisis.

The organizers and Project Connect extend their warmest gratitude and wishes to the Greek shipping workforce that came out on a Monday night to attend a Christmas party with a purpose — to give to a project that aims to help make young people more employable.

On behalf of Project Connect, Katia Galouka, extended appreciation to all the individuals who supported this effort, as well as the 15 sponsors of the Raffle prizes: Astypalea’s Kallichoron Art Boutique Hotel, Kefi S.A., the Artist Eva Divari, Blueship, Business Coach, Dr John Kalogerakis, JMK Ltd, Mr Nikos E. Tsakos of Kollias Seafood Bar Restaurant, Tzelalis Furs, Sotiria Legatou Beauty Lab, VASANTA YOGA STUDIO, PLACEBO Pharmacy, ARTWALK, Tomara Plants, Kokkoris Optics and FREE THINKING ZONE Bookstore- Café and to Katerina Panoussis’s crew at All About Events for putting the final touch on the Invite: the symbol of HOPE which is the Christmas Tree designed by chains which is also a symbol of unity & Project Connect’s logo.

The jubilee’s theme was “the birth of LOVE that is Christmas.” This group already has a lot of LOVE … “Love for Shipping” for example, evident with the initiatives taken by the creators of PROJECT CONNECT, YES FORUM & BLUE GROWTH, all worthy initiatives, during tough times, that ultimately support a “LOVE FOR GREECE”.