05-02-2010: “New Friendship Club opens in Koukaki”

Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis and Athens
City Councillor for Social Welfare Tonia
Kanellopoulou today inaugurated a new Friendship Club in Koukaki (26-28 Drakou
St), fulfilling a Municipal Authority pledge and longstanding demand of local
residents.




The
establishment of the Friendship Club means that Senior Citizens in the Koukaki
locality now have yet another venue at which they can seek human warmth, social
support, communication with individuals of a similar age, information and
entertainment. After the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Kaklamanis noted:




"I did not
expect that a project such as this would bring so much joy to all residents of
this locality. I am pleased that yet another election pledge of ours has become
a reality. Ahead of the elections, we had said ‘we have little to say, but much
to do'. This Friendship Club, which opens its doors today, was one of the many
of the things we had promised. I take this opportunity to inform you that we
will launch a new Friendship Club in Kypseli in coming days and another three
by summer, in Metaxourgio, Kolokynthous and Pagrati".




Addressing
local residents, who attended the launch ceremony, Nikitas Kaklamanis said:


"I would like to thank all of you
because you, as a neighbourhood, almost never came to me, in my three years as
Mayor, to discuss individual problems. You only came to me to discuss problems
in your neighbourhood, particularly concerning the Friendship Club. And, thanks
to your support, we were able to overcome all of the difficulties, remove the
legal shackles that existed and today, with the blessings of the Church and
your presence, we open the door so you can enjoy this hospitable location. May
God keep you in good health and feel free to make this your second home".




For her part, Athens City Councillor for Social Welfare Tonia
Kanellopoulou thanked all those who contributed to the creation of the
Friendship Club for Senior Citizens, "and to making a longstanding dream of
local residents a reality".




She concluded by saying that the Municipal Authority, led by Mayor Kaklamanis, has
managed to achieve something unique in his four-year term. It has created six
new Friendship Clubs, bringing the total to 26 and, therefore, demonstrates its
special interest in Senior Citizens.