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Dimitrios Papacharalambous (Greek: Δημήτριος Παπαχαραλάμπους; 1885–1961) was a businessman, humanitarian and philanthropist from Chomori. He was known for his philanthropic works in the region of Aetolia-Acarnania and the city of Nafpaktos.[1]
Dimitrios Papacharalampous | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1885 |
| Died | 1961 |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Citizenship | Greek, American |
| Known for | Philanthropic Efforts |
| Awards | National Benefactor |
Early life
editPapacharalampous was born in 1885 into a poor family in Chomori. His grandfather was Charalambos Kefalas, who fought and survived the Third Siege of Missolonghi in 1826. Upon returning to his village, his grandfather became a Greek Orthodox priest. Since he was a priest (Greek: Papas) and named Charalambos, the family adopted the surname Papa-charalampous.[1]
As a young man, Dimitrios Papacharalampous worked as a peddler in the Peloponnese, selling icons of saints alongside fellow peddler Georgios Papailias from Peristiano. Later, he returned to Chomori, where he ran a combined coffeehouse and general store from the ground floor of his family home. His business began to decline when his neighbor, Nikolaos Bazas, opened a similar shop.[1]
America
editAt the beginning of the 20th century, emigration to America became more common due to the economic difficulties of Greece. Under the pressure of these conditions and the hope for a better future, Dimitrios decided to emigrate in 1907, with the encouragement and help of his fellow villager, Vasilis Lymperis.
The journey took 25 days, during which Dimitrios became seasick. By the time they reached New York, he was so weak that his fellow travelers feared the American doctors inspecting new immigrants would send him back on the same ship, SS Themistocles. However, he managed to stay.
Upon arrival in New York, immigrants from Nafpaktos housed him in cramped rooms where three or five people usually lived together to save money. They bought him a basket, filled it with roses, and sent him to the city's main streets to sell six roses for one-tenth of a dollar. When winter came, and it was too cold to sell flowers, he found work as a dishwasher at the "Prince George" hotel, known as the Howard Greenley building, earning a dollar a day and basic meals.
With the arrival of spring, Papacharalampous resumed selling flowers. At the time, it was customary for Americans to buy a bouquet for their wives on their way home from work, which helped them earn a decent living. However, he often faced issues with the police, as selling flowers and fruits in central locations was prohibited. For five years, he roamed the streets of New York, selling flowers, chestnuts, and seasonal fruits.
In 1912, he voluntarily returned to Greece, joined the army, and fought in the Balkan Wars. After being discharged, he married his fellow villager Vasiliki Andreopoulou, and then sought a way to return to America.
After World War II, Greece was devastated by occupation and civil war. Motivated by a desire to help, Papacharalampous decided to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to charitable projects in Nafpaktos. However, delays and additional demands from contractors frustrated him. He appealed to Queen Frederica for assistance, which led to the completion of the projects.[1]
Business
editDuring his return to New York after the Balkan War, Dimitrios made a great effort to open his flower shop, eventually renting a small store. A few years later, he moved to a larger basement shop at the corner of 6th Avenue. His business acumen turned that small basement into one of the largest flower shops in America.
Papacharalampous was known for his savvy. He would wait to buy flowers at wholesale markets after the major florists and retailers had made their purchases, allowing him to buy more cheaply and sell at lower prices. As a result, customers came to him for weddings and funerals because of his competitive prices.
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Over time, his success attracted the attention of gangsters, who attempted to rob him. During one such incident, he managed to fend off one attacker, while the other two were caught by the police thanks to his dog, which tracked them to their hideout. This event added to his reputation and business.
He donated his flower shop to his employees and returned to Greece.[1]
Awards
editIn the spring of 1959, King Paul of Greece awarded Dimitrios Papacharalampous the title of "National Benefactor" and sent him two medals through the Greek Consulate in New York.[1]
Philanthropy
editAlongside his professional occupation, Papacharalambous achieved his spiritual and moral cultivation. He associated with spiritual people who helped him in his spiritual development. This arises from the fact that, while he passed through severe trials, he succeeded in overcoming the living appeal that exists in every human being for personal enjoyment and the accumulation of wealth. Without ever asking for anything from anyone, he generously provided what he created with great effort to satisfy the social and above all political needs of his country, while he was still alive.
In Greece and America, he supported many people who were under trial, and with his contributions, he helped schools, churches, his village, and the city of Nafpaktos with beautification works.[1]
Work in Nafpaktos
editPapacharalambous directed a significant portion of his wealth towards charitable initiatives to the region of Aetolia-Acarnania. In 1954, Papacharalambous founded the Papacharalambios Municipal Greek-American Library under a formal contract, marking the beginning of his most enduring legacy. The building, designed for community use, included a multifunctional ground floor for gatherings, lectures, dances, and film screenings, with proceeds supporting the Philoptochos Society's welfare activities. The upper floor housed the newly established library, which was equipped with furniture and books in Greek, English, and French, aimed at fostering a love for reading and encouraging intellectual activity in Nafpaktos. The Foundation was formally approved by a decree issued on June 11, 1954, with a dedicated administrative committee appointed to oversee its operation.[1]
Papacharalambou's commitment to the community did not stop at the library. He also funded the construction of a nearby café for library patrons and ensured that the entire building was utilized for the library's expanding needs. In 1956, he officially transferred ownership of the property to the newly established Public Library of Nafpaktos and donated a further 800,000 drachmas for its technical equipment and acquisition of books.
Under his patronage, the Papacharalambios Library grew to become a central institution in Nafpaktos, playing a vital role in the intellectual and cultural development of the local population. Today, the library boasts a collection of approximately 60,000 volumes and serves as a hub for education, offering a range of services, including a Public Information Center equipped with advanced technology and free internet access. It continues to organize cultural events and exhibitions, remaining true to Papacharalambous' vision of a thriving intellectual community.
In addition to the library, Papacharalambous supported various cultural and educational projects. He financed the construction of a 300-seat cultural events hall, now home to the Nafpaktos Orchestra, which he also founded, organized, and equipped with instruments. Moreover, he finances the construction of a modern stadium, complete with stands, gym facilities, and auxiliary space. The city of Nafpaktos honored him by naming the stadium Papacharalabeio National Stadio. His influence also extended to the local football scene. In 1958, two former clubs—Nafpaktiakos and Asteras Nafpaktou—merged to form Nafpaktiakos Asteras, officially named 'Papacharalambeios Athlitikos Syllogos Nafpaktiakos Asteras,' further recognizing his impact as a key benefactor.
His philanthropy extended beyond infrastructure, as he also established scholarships for students of Nafpaktos High School through a special endowment with the Bank of Greece, offered dowries to sixty impoverished girls, and regularly funded local organizations, including the Nafpaktos Philharmonic, the Philoptochos Society, the Metropolis of Nafpaktos, and the Greek-American Association of Nafpaktos.[2]
Death
editHe passed away in August 1961 and is buried in Nafpaktos. His memory and good deeds continue to be honored by the city of Nafpaktos.[1]
"I did everything I could, I toiled for you, my Homeland, hard and far away in foreign lands, and all that I earned through sweat, I dedicated to you." — Dimitrios Papcharalmpous
In 1970, the Greek-American Association of Nafpaktos, in collaboration with the City of Nafpaktos, honored Papcharalmpous by naming a park in his memory, the "Memorial Park of Papcharalmpous." The park features a statue of Papcharalmpous, which bears a famous quote celebrating his legacy.[3]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Δημήτριος Παπαχαραλάμπους: Ο μεγάλος ευεργέτης της Ναυπάκτου". www.npress.gr. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
- ^ "Η Ιστορία της "Παπαχαραλάμπειου Δημοτικής Βιβλιοθήκης Ναυπάκτου" μέχρι τις ημέρες μας (1954-2013)". www.istorikathemata.com. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
- ^ "Τιμητική εκδήλωση στη Ναύπακτο για τον μεγάλο ευεργέτη Δημήτριο Παπαχαραλάμπους". www.thebest.gr. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 2024-09-25.