ATHENS, October 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese community associations in Greece delivered the 40,000 euro (55,100 U.S. dollars) donations on Wednesday to two Greek state-run children's shelters in Athens, in one more display of friendship and solidarity with the Greek peoples.

In a moving ceremony held at "Agios Andreas" (Saint Andrew) facility in the Athens district of Alimos, representatives of the Chinese community in Athens presented clothing, shoes, electronic toys, school bags and other gifts to the children there.  

"Agios Andreas" children shelter was founded in 1947 and today hosts 35 children aged 3 to 12 years old of problematic Greek families. "Agia Barbara" (Santa Barbara) facility offers hospitality and protection to 34 teenage girls of similar background. There are 19 such shelters across Greece.

The donation was made under the auspices of the Chinese Embassy in Greece and the Greek Health and Social Solidarity Ministry and the event was attended by Deputy Director of the 1st Health Region of Attica Prefecture Katerina Apostolou and Vassiliki Kostopoulou, associate of the Ministry's General Secretary of Welfare Giorgos Katrivanos.

Apostolou expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting the significant charity work done at the facilities, which provide "a home, love and care to children who did not find them inside their families."

Adding that Greece and China are two countries with ancient civilizations and that part of civilization is to take care of the most vulnerable social groups, such as children in need, Apostolou expressed confidence that the two peoples can tackle together the problems and that Greek-Chinese collaboration will continue and strengthen.

On behalf of the Chinese ambassador and Chinese diplomats in Greece, the ambassador's wife Qiao Li expressed "gratitude to all friends who pay attention to the charity work made to support children."