A pomegranate tree, the symbol for good luck, longevity and prosperity, was the gift offered by the Municipality of Ermionis to the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis-ELPIDA” Children’s Oncology Unit, on Thursday 24 October 2019.
The Mayor of Ermionis, Mr. Ioannis Georgopoulos and Vice Mayor Iossif Mertyris, municipal councillor Damianos Koutouvalis, together with representatives of the Community and the pomegranate producers visited the Children’s Oncology Unit. They were welcomed by the President of the “ELPIDA” Association of Friends of Children with cancer, Ms. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, the Director of the Children’s Hospitals “AGIA SOFIA” and “P.&A. KYRIAKOU”, Mr. Manolis Papasavvas, the doctors and the nursing staff of the Unit, as well as members of the “ELPIDA” and “ORAMA ELPIDAS” Associations.
Deeply moved, Ms. Vardinoyannis said about the initiative of the residents of Ermionis: “The Municipality of Ermionis, and each one of the residents of my special homeland, have embraced the work of ELPIDA, each one in their own way. Either by offering money from their own pocket for the creation of our Oncology Unit, by supporting the work of the “ORAMA ELPIDAS” Association, by registering as new bone marrow volunteers, or by a number of other actions which have as their goal the support of our children. Even the students of the schools of Ermionis, both the younger and the older ones, support the work of ELPIDA every year with money they take out of their piggy bank, . Ermionis, which I love so much, is a small place, but with a large surplus of love and humanity. I cannot but feel overjoyed and proud that you come here today once again with an offer that brings smiles and optimism to our children. We will all plant a tree together, which is not just a simple tree, but a tree that symbolises my home town, a pomegranate. The pomegranate tree is a symbol of good luck, longevity and prosperity, and from the bottom of my heart, I hope it will take root and flourish to always remind us of this special day”.
The Mayor of Ermionis, Mr. Ioannis Georgopoulos, took the floor to underline: “Words fail me when trying to describe your work and your dedication. You have justifiably been in the hearts of the Greek people all these years. You are justifiably the Hope of ELPIDA for all these children and parents which have you on their side. The people of our home town feel proud about our own lady from Ermionis, Marianna V. Vardinoyannis. We bring today with us the fruit of your home town: The pomegranate of Ermionis. We offer the fruit of abundance, fertility and good luck. We plant this tree which will bear its fruit with your care in the place where the search for Hope ceases to be a dream and turns into a reality. With this Pomegranate Tree of Ermionis, its fruit and its symbolism, I close our visit today by expressing our respect and our love for you. We thank you for everything you have offered to our home town, our country and our children. May you always be the personification of Hope”.
The Vice Mayor, Iossif Mertyris, said: “We hope that the tree we plant today will take root. This is a symbolic move which we hope will bring good luck, longevity and prosperity”.
It should also be noted that the representatives of the Municipality of Ermionis brought pomegranates and pomegranate juice for all the children, and for the medical and nursing staff of the Oncology Unit.
As a recognition for this gift by the Municipality of Ermionis to the Children’s Oncology Unit, Ms. Vardinoyannis awarded honorary plaques to the representatives of the Municipality, and all together they placed the star of the Municipality of Ermionis on the “ELPIDA Wall of Stars”.
The event closed when Marianna V. Vardinoyannis together with the representatives of the Municipality planted the pomegranate tree in the courtyard of the Oncology Unit with the wish that it will bring good luck and prosperity to the Hospital.
