AHEPA Maritime Chapter HJ-45 St' Nicholas, as part of its multi-dimensional social action, has recently implemented an act of utmost importance, by offering two modern firetrucks to the areas of North Evia, namely Istiaia and Mantoudi, which were affected by the nightmarish wild fires of last summer.

Following the magnificent ceremony of the vehicles delivery at Zappeio Megaro, which was honored with the presence of prominent personalities of politics, diplomacy and local governance, a number of representatives of the maritime and business community, as well as the Chief of the Fire Department, Mr. Alexios Rapanos, and the Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA, Mr. Jimmy Kokotas, a delegation visit of AHEPA Maritime St' Nicholas took place, led by President Capt. Dimitrios Mattheou, on Saturday July 9, 2022, in Istiaia, Evia, where the Fire Department and firetrucks are headquartered, on the occasion of the summer fire-fighting season, aiming to further encourage the men of the local Fire Brigade in the accomplishment of their difficult work and to the on-site accreditation of the preparedness and utilization of the donated vehicles. This mission was honored with the participation of the Governor of AHEPA HELLAS, Mr. Konstantinos Varsamis.

It was a visit loaded by emotions and pride for a beautiful region of Greece, Evia, which was severely tested by the rant of wild fires and managed to stand tall again. The President of the Chapter, Capt. Dimitrios Mattheou, emphasized that the maximum social and national goal for all citizens should be the continuous and selfless contribution to our tested society, as well as the protection of our country's forests, which provide invaluable goods for our survival, but also the protection of human life, which is the supreme value.

The firefighters and volunteers are worthy of gratitude from all of us, who with heroism, extraordinary courage and professionalism, protect people, their properties and our natural environment. For these reasons, any contribution to their work is imperative and necessary.

Praiseworthy for their valuable financial contribution are also all Brothers, members of the Maritime Chapter of AHEPA, as well as the friends of AHERA, who supported this large donation and contributed to the collection of the amount required for the purchase of the two high standard vehicles, so as to completely satisfy the needs of the Fire Fighting Services of North Evia.

Our forests and their rich ecosystems with their environmental, aesthetic and economic value are our primordial natural heritage, an inexhaustible natural source of life and inspiration, identified with the existence, course and progress of man over the centuries. Social alertness is everyone's obligation for their protection and preservation, being a one-way path for environmental protection and our embankment against climate change.

In this fight, the shipping branch of AHERA and its three hundred (300) fervently existing members, who embrace the values of offering, humanitarianism and promotion of solidarity, charity and moral cooperation, stand wholeheartedly and unanimously as helpers of the national effort to unite all forces to front against the wild fires and the consequences of the climate crisis.