A grassroots effort, beginning 5 years ago, leads to the newly formed
Reaching for the Stars Children’s Foundation aiming to support children and youth in need.
Toronto, ON, September 12, 2018 – Reaching for the Stars Children’s Foundation (“RFTSCF”) was built on the grassroots event ‘Reaching for the Stars’ which held its inaugural event in Toronto on November 13th, 2014 to support orphaned, abandoned and destitute children in Greece.
RFTSCF is dedicated to supporting the whole child: mentally, spiritually and physically by committing to positively impact the trajectory of children’s lives through the co-operation of transparent organizations that support the heart of the home and to promote great opportunities for young people in need within their communities.
“Children are our most valuable resource, they make up a third of our population and are our future, our legacy. Our ability to continue our mission to support our existing SOS families and further extend our reach will have a long lasting effect on the lives of the children we support. We hope that with the continued support we can build strong children, which will in turn become strong compassionate adults,” said Dimitri Michalopoulos, Chairman, Reaching for the Stars Children’s Foundation.
The annual event organized by third party fundraisers, “Reaching for the Stars”, mobilized a group of committed supporters since 2014 to help children in Greece through SOS Children’s Villages Canada, and has continued by ‘adopting’ families of orphaned and abandoned children in Greece. Monies raised covered the fundamental costs of living which included medical, therapies, food, home, in addition to providing children with sports, art and extra-curricular programs. The growth of this charitable movement along with partners, raised almost half a million dollars net within four years, validating a need to organize a formal effort which has led to the formation of Reaching for the Stars Children’s Foundation.
“It is remarkable and touching how people living thousands of miles away are so close to our children and how they have supported our work during all these years through the “Reaching for the Stars” event, and now through the establishment of RFTSCF, bringing a positive change in our children’s lives. Their enthusiasm and commitment is outstanding and it gives us the strength to carry on our efforts despite the great difficulties that we still face in our country” said SOS Children’s Villages Greece National Director, George Protopapas.
“This all began with my Co-Chair Anastasios Moussas five years ago and then of course our Co-Chair Zoe Karasaviddis. We felt this outpouring of support of our donors – they really wanted to help and make an impact, one they could see. We are thrilled to make our relationship with SOS Children’s Villages an even deeper one. Our history will always be interconnected with this great organization. By continuing our support for our children in Greece we are showing them that our group here believes in them, believes in their dreams and we are committed to walk with them for the long term. Our mission is to heal and help children in need – that’s our focus.,” said RFTSCF Founder and President, Voula McLaughlin.
Voula McLaughlin and Anastasios Moussas, Director of the Board, have visited the children supported and SOS villages on a regular basis since 2014. Mr. Moussas’ deep ties within the Greek community and Mrs. McLaughlin’s own family history of her father being a sponsored child gave birth to the movement to help children in need.
“It is thanks to people like Voula and her enthusiasm, dedication and persistence that we can provide the most vulnerable children across the world a loving home. With the support of Reaching for the Stars we could help children and families in Greece at a time of dire need. We are proud partners of Reaching for the Stars and wish all the best to the newly established Reaching for the Stars Children’s Foundation.” added Thomas Bauer, SOS Children’s Villages Canada President and CEO.
RFTSCF will be holding the 5thAnnual Reaching for the Stars gala at the Grand Luxe in Toronto on November 15th. Cochairs for this year’s event are Anastasios Moussas, Zoe Karasaviddis and Voula McLaughlin.