Dragonboat Challenge 2014 Team1Fish2FishRedFishBlueFish

     Hello. My name is John Papageorgiou and I am raising money on behalf of rower Marie-Elena Maglieri for th 8th Annual Dragon Boat Challenge. The event will be taking place next June 8^th at the Saint-Paul Locks.

      All proceed will be donated to Missing Children's Network, Quebec division (registered charity #10788 6863 RR0001). The deadline set for the fundraising is Friday, June 6, 2014. Money raised will provide funding to enable front-line services to families who are searching for their missing child. For more details, please click on the following link:

http://www.enfant-retourquebec.ca/en/nouvelles/evenements.php

 Why donate here? Why donate now?: A Personal Story

      I have witnessed first-hand how much the disappearance of a loved one can hurt immensely. On May 25, 1987, a friend and soccer teammate of mine, Jean-Pierre Kounelis, was abducted from his home and was never found. His adoptive father, Peter Kounelis, was also in the residence and was murdered prior to the abduction. My friend's abductor was later apprehended and charged for the murder and kidnapping, but fled while released on bail. Jean-Pierre has never been found, nor has his abductor, who remains in hiding to this day.

      As a thirteen year old, I can remember the day I found out. The shock and sorrow that followed lasted for days, if not weeks. I was just totally stunned. Here I am, thirteen years old, getting by my first year of high school, and then, ..... boom! He's gone.

      It has been a little over 27 years since that fateful day, and not a day goes by where I still wonder what Jean-Pierre could have been. What could have he achieved as he grew older? What kind of person he would grow up to be? Would we still have kept in touch and remind ourselves of our youths playing soccer at the Hellenic Community so many years ago?

      Sadly, I'm left to pause and think back to that terrible day. But now, I can move forward knowing that this gesture will allow other families the chance to have their children returned into their loving arms. Alone, my goal cannot be accomplished. Together, we can mend a broken circle and unite parents and children in loving arms once again.

Team Information

Team rowing: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Team captain: Andria Mallozzi

Team rower: Marie-Elena Maglieri

        The fact that you have taken the time to read this is thank you enough. Any amount helps, be it as little as a dollar. May those who love and continue to hope be given the chance to love once more.Thank you for your time and donation.