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Academy Donates To Greek Recovery

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By RONNIE BLAIR, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2007

Updated: 12/14/2007 09:57 pm

LAND O' LAKES - Students from Athenian Academy of Pasco have pitched in to help with restoration efforts in parts of Greece affected by wildfires in August.

The students donated $400 after George Poumakis, a founder of that school and Athenian Academy of Pinellas, suggested a fundraising drive.

The Leona Group, a management firm that operates both charter schools, agreed to donate $2,000.

A Leona official from Michigan was to deliver a check Friday to the Greek Consulate in Tampa.

The fires that engulfed most of Greece killed more than 60 people and scorched world heritage sites such as Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, according to Associated Press reports.

After coming up with the idea of involving students to help with the restoration, Poumakis decided the effort could have even greater impact if students at all the Leona Group schools became involved and were asked to give a quarter each.

The Leona Group operates 59 charter schools in six states.

The company liked Poumakis' suggestion but decided that trying to coordinate a fundraising effort among students at all those schools would be "a logistical nightmare," said Raymond Gant, vice president of marketing for Leona.

Instead, the firm decided to make a contribution, he said.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at rblair@tampatrib.com or (813) 948-4218.

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