New York, NY – Arthur C. Anton, Chairman of Leadership 100, announced today that the Executive Committee of the organization, at an extraordinary teleconference, voted unanimously to grant $500,000 immediately to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for the September 11 Relief Fund established by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios following his visit to the World Trade Center disaster site the day after that tragic event. The Relief Fund will primarily address the needs of the orphans of the September 11 tragedy, the children of the firefighters, policemen and all others who were the innocent victims of such an unspeakable massacre.Mr. Anton said: “We have been witnesses to a great national tragedy, but we are comforted that our Spiritual Father, Archbishop Demetrios, was there to respond. Our very purpose for existing as an organization is to support the critical ministries of our Archdiocese in America. What more critical ministry is there than this?”His Eminence, overwhelmed by the gesture, said: “Leadership 100 has led us once again with its compassionate heart and strong resolve. They saw no option but a bold expression of faith in our Church, our community and our country.”In addition, the Leadership 100 Executive Committee approved an appeal to go our to all its members to give urgently and generously to the September 11 Relief Fund. Mr. Anton said the appeal would go out today. His Eminence also established National Orthodox September 11 Relief Centersin cooperation with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), an agency that operates under the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), of which he serves as Chairman.The hub for the Relief Centers opened last Friday at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church at 27 Forsyth St in Lower Manhattan, in close proximity to the site of the disaster. Volunteers and priests, working from the church, are assisting rescue workers and providing counseling to families and other individuals at emergency centers and hospitals.In addition, His Eminence immediately established the National Orthodox September 11 Relief Hotline –877-774-0217 for individuals to inquire regarding missing persons, to request counseling and any other assistance and the National Orthodox September 11 Relief Donation Line - 212-570-3595 – for volunteers and to make donations and in- kind contributions.Finally, His Eminence announced the National Orthodox September 11 Relief Candles Program in which Orthodox churches will be asked to request parishioners to light candles on October 21, the 40-day memorial of the September 11 national tragedy, and dedicate the proceeds to the Relief Fund.