The Dimitrios and Blanche Lambropoulos Charitable Foundation, which began operating in February 1978, is not as well known for its “big name,” but it should certainly be known for its “great deeds”! The foundation has spent over 4.5 million euros for charitable purposes and has provided assistance to more than 3,500 families and 100 charitable organizations!
Dimitrios Lambropoulos
The philanthropic activities of the company “Afoi Lambropoulou” were well-known even BEFORE the establishment of the foundation. During its operation, and especially AFTER the war, the “Afoi Lambropoulou” company followed a philanthropic policy, with the main recipients being patients and financially disadvantaged people in Athens. For instance, they donated sums such as 100,000,000 drachmas at the end of 1952, 75,000,000 drachmas at the beginning of 1953, and 100,000,000 drachmas at the end of the same year, 375,000,000 drachmas in April 1954, and 125,000 drachmas during Christmas of that year. In November 1961, the company decided to support the flood victims of Athens and Piraeus with clothing valued at 200,000 drachmas.
The Dimitriou and Blanche Lambropoulos Foundation is clearly a serious foundation, focused on significant and quiet works of love and solidarity, rather than “drumbeats” about them.
Dimitris Lambropoulos, the fifth brother in line to my grandfather Xenofon, who left all his wealth to his wife Blanche (Leukothea), and after his death, Blanche bequeathed all his wealth to create this foundation, appointing Takis X. Lambropoulos as its lifelong president, had the philosophy that when someone helps others, they should not make a big noise about it. “I have the same philosophy of ‘quiet philanthropy,'” said Xenofon Lambropoulos’ granddaughter, the low-profile but highly active president of the Foundation’s four-member board, Xenia Lambropoulos. She continued, “The foundation’s goal is to provide financial support to economically disadvantaged patients who need treatment in Greece or abroad, or who are not covered by any social insurance for their medical expenses abroad, as well as to support economically disadvantaged families and other charitable organizations.” She clarified, “Help is provided after a thorough review of medical certificates and proofs of financial inability.”
Xenia Lambropoulos, the Low-Profile President of the Foundation
“The foundation is self-financed and does not receive funds from other sources. There are no registered members from the general public (other than the Board of Directors) who organize events whose proceeds could be added to the foundation’s assets. Its income comes from the interest on invested funds. 95% of the income goes to assistance and charitable work, with the remainder kept as reserves, with complete transparency. Meanwhile, the tax office has praised us for the proper management of the funds. With the haircut on bonds and the financial crisis in general, the foundation’s assets have decreased, while requests for help have increased! My goal is to fulfill as many requests as possible in the future and honor my grandfather,” said the president of the foundation, Xenia Lambropoulos, with the passion driven by her desire to contribute and continue the tradition of her capable ancestors.
The foundation has helped many organizations, including MDA, “Open Door,” the Ark of the World, Eliza – The Society Against Child Abuse, the SOS Children’s Villages Greece, the Volunteers of the World, the Greek Association for the Protection and Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons, ELPAP, the “Pammakaristos” Foundation for Children, the Shelter of Love “Theotokos,” the Foundation for the Protection and Rehabilitation of Children and Young People with Mental Disabilities, the “Melissa” Girls’ Orphanage, and many more.
“Afoi Lambropoulou, 1901 – 1999, ‘Choose Before You, For You’” is also the title of the album recently presented at a special event at Zappeion by the Dimitriou and Blanche Lambropoulos Charitable Foundation.
The History of 100 Years is encapsulated in an album with rare and rich archival material, depicting the evolution of the company that conquered Athens, which unfolded alongside significant moments in history! The album tells the story of the family patriarch, Xenofon Lambropoulos, who came to Athens from his village, Kontovazena in mountainous Arcadia, around 1900. Starting as a traveling peddler, he carved his own place in the commercial life of Athens! The cart of the traveling seller evolved into the iconic department store at the corner of Aiolou, Lykourgou, and Stadiou streets, which was even listed on the stock exchange. That corner became the meeting point for Athenians, a “rendezvous at Lambropoulos,” and also a landmark for the start of Christmas, Carnival, and sales season, as many Athenians visited to see the prices and innovative European goods.
Not even the occupation and the war were enough to stop Lambropoulos’ commercial ingenuity, as he imported the legendary “Kolynos” toothpaste and the insecticide “KATOL.”
What won his clientele was not only the modern, pioneering, and high-quality European products but also the “value for money” – that the quality of products was well-balanced with their prices.
One of the innovations of Lambropoulos was not only the institution of a “day off” on Sundays but also the abolition of “markets” in purchases, setting uniform prices for all. “Prices are fixed” and “Profit comes from consumption” were some of the company’s pioneering slogans, which were successfully applied and greatly appreciated by customers! Another innovation, which foreshadowed today’s department stores, was the “advanced” idea of “shops in shops,” implemented in 1992 by Lambropoulos. By allocating space to branded companies within its department stores, he attracted those companies and, naturally, more customers! Lambropoulos also organized fashion shows and invited stars from Greek and foreign television. There was also the introduction of gramophones by Vassilis Lambropoulos, the importation of records into the Greek market, and the creation of the “Columbia – Afoi Lambropoulou” record label, proving that the Lambropoulos family’s activities could not be confined to the narrow boundaries of commerce but extended to innovative and effective interventions in Greek music.
The Lambropoulos family (mainly through Takis B. Lambropoulos) discovered and promoted poets and musicians such as Xarhakos, Theodorakis, Hatzidakis, Chiotis, Xylouris, Moscholiou, Farantouri, Angelopoulos, Dionysiou, and also introduced actors like Labeti, Melina, Voyiouklaki, Horn. They promoted rebetiko music with Bithikotsis, Panou, etc., made a record of “Karagiozis,” used paintings by great artists like Tsarouchis, Eggonopoulos, Moralis as album covers, and generally made many other innovative interventions in the music scene!
It is indeed a heavy legacy and inheritance, and Xenia Lambropoulos, the president of the foundation, is determined to honor her grandfather and family. “I want to honor my grandfather and my family,” she reiterated with emotion at the end of our conversation, and the spark in her eyes, as well as the determination in her voice, left no room for doubt that she would succeed at the highest level!
Source: www.periodiko.net – SissysWorld
