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Message from the President – June 2018

Dear friends,

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the school year came successfully to an end. It was an annus mirabilis of learning, exploring, playing and making friends. Last week École Socrates-Démosthène and a few weeks before our Supplementary Education schools held their graduation ceremonies, offering us some precious moments of joy and pride of our remarkable students and their dedicated and hardworking teachers. Now, a long summer vacation lies ahead of our children. It is time for them to have fun with their friends and families. Many of École Socrates-Démosthène students will have the opportunity to spend the summer in Greece, through the regular annual educational trip organized by our school. They will have the chance to stay in the picturesque town of Monemvasia and visit natural habitat sites, museums, landmarks and historical monuments under the programme of the Centre of Environmental Education of Molaoi.

Summer is about spending quality time with our families, our friends and colleagues. The HCGM Regional Council members are aware, and like every year they put their most significant efforts to organize the Greek Summer Festivals. This year’s first one is St-Jean-Baptiste Greek Festival, held by the HCGM South Shore Regional Council. It will open its doors to the public for four days on June 22 at the South Shore Community Centre. The second is the Laval Hellenic Summer Festival, organized by our Laval Regional Council, which will be held between June 29th and July 2nd at the Holy Cross Church court in Laval, followed by “La flamme hellénique” Festival in Park Extension in August. It is an excellent opportunity to meet with our beloved ones and celebrate summer in our unique Greek style.

Once again, the HCGM Fundraising Committee’s “Λαχειοφόρος 2018” (Lottery) was a great success. I wish to enthusiastically thank all the supporters, donors and volunteers of this great event benefiting our schools and students.

Last but not least, I would like to congratulate our volunteers and staff at the Hellenic Social Services of Quebec for their unique initiative to collaborate with Respecting Elders Communities Against Abuse (RECAA) and present a theatrical workshop to raise awareness of the different types of elder abuse, and most importantly, to break the abusive cycle from continuing.

In closing, I wish you have a great summer vacation full of joy and sunshine. May all the happiness in the world embrace you and let your fun be unlimited with the people you love.

Sincerely,

Nicholas T. Pagonis
President