Voula Sarandari – The «Great Lady» of Volunteering

A mentor, educator, teacher and friend, a woman that brings dignity, harmony and humanity to the lives of so many people now and for a long time to come.

The «Great Lady» of Volunteering: «I came to this world, to help people»

Mrs. Voula Sarandari is the founder of the largest Lions Club of Kifisia “Hellen Keller”, a legendary woman who has been involved in volunteering for over 40 years with over forty associations with humanitarian, philanthropic, cultural and social activities. She was born at Paralia Platanou Αigialeias and her parents were Vasileios Alexandropoulos and Calliope Ralli. She married Theodore Sarantaris, President of the Federation of Heavy Equipment Operators and Secretary of General Confederation of Greek Workers. Together they had a son Bill Sarantaris, the founder and owner of the retail chain SOHO SOHO. She has received the highest distinction by Lions Club International, the Melvin Johns Fellow and as President of Lions Clubs Politeia, the President Excellence Award.

How did the Lions Clubs come into your life?
In 1992, a good friend of mine and member of the Athens-Politeia Lions Club after a big discussion with the aim to have me join, introduced me to Lions.

What does it mean to be a Lion?
The meaning of Lions is that of service, we serve. “Freedom-Understanding Our Nation-Security”. Consider that more than one billion dollars have been donated by the Lions LCIF International Fund to two hundred thousand people around the world. We are 1.5 million people and we have 450 thousand clubs in 208 countries. We are the only organisation that presides over the UN. Our main pillars are hunger, childhood diabetes, childhood cancer, vision and the environment.

What was the motivation in your life for volunteering?
That is how I was born. I came into this world to help. As an IKA employee, I worked in departments dealing with people from vulnerable groups. Along the way, as the personal assistant to IKA’s Managing Director, I continued working with people that needed help. I learned to serve because of my work duties. Volunteering means I CARE and ACT. It is about solidarity and being selfless, to serve to fellow human beings. We should never forget fragile human nature, but also the social inequalities for which volunteers feel responsible and do something about it without expecting a reward.

You have received nearly 70 awards from Greek and international Lions officials. Which one makes you feel most proud?
The Melvin Johns award, that is named after the founder of Lions Clubs International and Ross Ranger award for founding the Marousi Lions Club. But what I am mostly proud of, is the establishment of two major clubs… the Maroussi Lions Club and the club with the most members, «Hellen Keller».

You are a woman with knowledge and life experience. What do you think about gender relations?
Modern couples lack a spiritual touch. Equally important components of a good relationship are a shared social life and respect of diversity. To love what your partner loves. That’s what makes a relationship stand the test of time.

What was the biggest lesson in your life path?
From my work and my social activities, I learned what forgiveness and humanity means, and that everything is enclosed by love. This is my life’s motto, “to forgive and to embrace the whole world”.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I read non-stop. This is how I learn, travel, discover, and evolve.