AHEPA Vol. 14 Issue 25 | Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Vol. 14 Issue 25 | Wednesday, June 24, 2020

AHEPA E-News

Sen. Menendez's Pursuit to Hold Turkey Accountable Applauded

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA) applauds a June 22, 2020 letter authored by Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Ranking Member Robert Menendez to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that raises “deep concern” about Turkey’s escalated aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean and that calls for Turkey to be held responsible for its actions that violate U.S. law through sanctions imposed by the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. read our news release | Ekathimerini placement

American Hellenic, American Jewish Groups: Greek PM's Visit to Israel Shows Shared Commitment to a Stable, Prosperous Region

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), B’nai B’rith International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations issued the following statement following the visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Israel, June 16 and 17:   The outcome of last week's high-level government-to-government meetings between Israel and Greece, involving eight ministers, demonstrates their shared commitment to work earnestly toward a prosperous and stable region.   We welcome the joint announcement of August 1 as the target date to reopen tourism safely, taking into account the COVID-19 conditions at that time.   Further, memoranda of understanding signed on agriculture, cybersecurity, energy, and tourism, together with substantive discussions about defense cooperation and security, signify a strengthening of relations across a variety of important sectors. Opportunities also abound in investment and commerce that are a "win-win" for both parties.   Finally, our organizations were encouraged by the overall spirit of mutual cooperation and fellowship exhibited during the visit; sentiments that are also reflected in the respective diaspora. Our commitment to support and contribute to the advancement of relations between these two democracies, and to shed light on their critical roles in promoting stability in an increasingly unstable region of the world, is steadfast. ICYMI | June 9 Pre-Trip Joint Statement

Sad News | PSG Dr. Diamantis Passes Away

AHEPA mourns the passing of Past Supreme Governor Dr. Filippos Spyridon Diamantis, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. Brother Dr. Diamantis, a 43-year member of Chapter 314, Las Vegas, Nev., passed away May 24, 2020. He was 86. "Brother Filippos brought an immense amount of Hellenic pride and joy to the Order that will be missed," Supreme President Horiates said. "We are grateful for his decades of service and his contributions to the Las Vegas community, which were bountiful. Our sympathies are with the Diamantis family. May his memory be eternal." read Dr. Diamantis' obiturary

AHEPA Cares and it shows: A note of gratitude for your philanthropy

AHEPA prides itself on the strength of its chapters and members. With more than 400 chapters worldwide, AHEPA provides community service at the grassroots. In fact, AHEPA has been described as providing “boots on the ground” - a reference to our members and their valuable work in the communities. Working hand-in-hand with local and state community service groups, AHEPA excels at providing relief when times get tough. During this unprecedented time, the COVID-19 pandemic has AHEPA mobilized once again. Our support for the health care heroes on the front lines who are making sacrifices to attend to those infected by coronavirus is resolute. Supreme President George G. Horiates has been spearheading efforts to encourage our chapters to donate or volunteer time and energy to provide assistance. With the spirit of community service at the core of their mission, we are proud our chapters have responded superbly with safety as a priority. Ahepans are going to supermarkets (with appreciation to our grocery workers too) to buy food for those in need. They are visiting area hospitals and delivering food to the doctors and nurses who are in harm's way and to the elderly and the homeless. Ahepans are also donating blood. The AHEPA family is working together to provide assistance around the world. #AHEPACares and it shows. We salute our members for their outreach. We can take pride we are fulfilling our founding fathers' vision of a community service fraternity. Supreme President Horiates thanks the AHEPA chapters that are practicing philanthropy and for sending us inspirational photos and stories. We applaud look forward to seeing more of our Order's great works! We encourage districts and chapters to engage in philanthropic and community service acts and please submit your good works to AHEPA Global Headquarters. Please remember to do so responsibly, according to government guidance, and above all else--safely! The list (at right) is what we know at the time of distributing this edition of AHEPA e-news. AHEPA’s list of chapters that are playing a significant part in the communities they serve worldwide is unmatched…and will go on… Download & Distribute AHEPA Cares Flyer Donate to the AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Visit our COVID-19 Resource Center

THANK YOU! Chapter 1 Atlanta, Ga. - Donated lunches to the first responders of Emory Decatur Hospital Chapter 3 Birmingham, Ala. – 100 meals donated to Children’s Hospital of Alabama Chapter 25 Manhattan, N.Y. – Meals donated and funds raised for ventilators Chapter 26 Philadelphia – Brother Dr. Theoklis Zaoutis is actively advising Greece's Ministry of Health on COVID-19 Chapter 40 Detroit/District 10, Michigan – $15,000 donated to Detroit-area churches Chapter 64 Harrisburg, Pa. – Brother Dr. Chronis providing medical analysis for COVID-19 and the chapter donated $1,750 to four central PA food banks to feed families in need Chapter 69 Cherry Hill, N.J. – 200 meals donated to Virtua Hospital and other area hospitals Chapter 72 Trenton, N.J. – 280-plus meals an 80 face masks delivered to three major hospitals in Central N.J. Chapter 78, Merrillville, Ind. – Donated $17,000 to charities that assist and provide relief to victims of COViD-19, including Meals on Wheels Chapter 110, Norwich, Conn. – Presented a $1,000 grant to o fund the Backus Hospital's Mobile Outreach Van which serves the community.  Chapter 145 Denver – Donated and served meals to hundreds of first responders and homeless. Delivered thousands of face masks to the city and county of Denver Chapter 156 Canonsburg, Pa. – Donated $2,000 to feed 400 area families Chapter 157 Calumet, Ind. – Meals, masks, gloves and hand sanitizer donated to the community's front line heroes Chapter 158, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – Provided lunch to first responders upon city's reopening Chapter 186 Astoria, N.Y. - Served 150 meals and delivered another 35 meals to the community at-large Chapter 219 Phoenix – Donated N95 face masks to essential workers Chapter 250, New London, Conn. – Ahepans donated and delivered meals to residents of five elderly housing communities Chapter 319 Port Jefferson, N.Y. – Donated face masks to emergency responders. Secured 1,000 masks and 3,000 pairs of gloves for the community Chapter 326, Flushing, N.Y. – Presented scholarship grants to 3 students while adhering to social distancing and guidance Chapter 408 Wilmington, N.C. – The board of AHEPA 408 Senior Apartments donated "Care Bags" with essential items to the residents. Face masks and thermometers donated to St. Nicholas. Chapter 445 & Sons of Pericles 290 Upper Darby, Pa. – Delivered food to the ER department at Jeanes Campus – Temple University Hospital Chapter 489 New Port Richey, Fla. – Donated meals to elderly residents at AHEPA 489 Apartments Chapter 500 Greenlawn, N.Y. – Held a food drive that amassed 400 lbs of goods to benefit the area shelters Chapter 515 Radnor, Pa. – Donated and delivered hundreds of meals for the health care and emergency response professionals and administrative staff at Inova Alexandria Hospital Chapter 545, Middletown, N.Y. – Raised $2,000 to provide financial aid to families recovering from illness, donated 500 "Gyros for Heroes," and is undertaking a goods collection drive Chapter CJ-1 Toronto – Implemented the Greek Easter Relief Food program, providing low-income families with a voucher to ensure everyone had access to an Easter meal Chapter 601 Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey – Donated food to Orthodox churches for Easter Chapter HJ-1 Athens, Greece – Ahepans provide support to Evangelismos Hospital Chapter HJ-3 Thessaloniki, Greece – AHEPA Hospital is treating COVID-19 patients Chapter HJ-26 Peter Baltis Chapter Larissa, Greece – Coordinated blood donor drive with several Ahepans donating Chapter HJ-34 Corfu, Greece – Coordinated blood donor drive, donated face masks and health supplies to Corfu General Hospital and vulnerable populations Chapter HJ-38 Palio Faliro, Greece – Donated and delivered meals and necessities to a local food bank for the municipality's elderly and vulnerable Chapter HJ-41 Kalamaria, Greece – Delivered care packages of food and water to the elderly Chapter HJ-43, Nea Smyrni, Greece – Donated and delivered hygeinic supplies valued at €14,000 to Leros and surrounding islands Chapter CY-1 Nicosia, Cyprus – Contributed to District 27's countrywide blood drive with hundreds of units of blood collected Chapter CY-4, Idalion, Cyprus – Donated financial aid to assist five families in need Nikolaus Dumba Chapter & DOP Princess Sissi Chapter Vienna, Austria - Delivered meals to the needy District 10, Michigan - Donated $23,300 to 11 Michigan-area Greek Orthodox churches

Book Announcement "Greek Orthodox Church in America: A Modern History"

The AHEPA National Educational is pleased to provide the following book announcement for "Greek Orthodox Church in America: A Modern History," by Alexander Kitroeff. In this sweeping history, Kitroeff shows how the Greek Orthodox Church in America has functioned as much more than a religious institution, becoming the focal point in the lives of the country’s million-plus Greek immigrants and their descendants.  order online | download flyer

U.S. Amb. Pyatt's Message to U.S. Citizens in Greece

U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt delivered a message to U.S. citizens living in Greece on June 18. The ambassador commends the Greek government's response to COVID-19 and provides the latest news about the U.S. embassy, including when the embassy will be able to reopen to provide services to U.S. citizens in Greece and what can be expected when they do.

Ensure your ancestry is counted! 61.4% of all households have responded to the 2020 U.S. Census

90.8 million Census responses have been received -- that's more than half of all the households in the country! AHEPA encourages your participation in the 2020 U.S. Census to ensure the Greek American community is accounted, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates.   It is part of our civic duty to participate in the U.S. Census. It is important to do so for a couple of reasons.   First, community-based organizations such as AHEPA, rely on accurate census data to ensure that its constituency is represented properly. On a larger scale, census results will help communities receive federal funding for hospitals, schools, and emergency services. (Pictured: Thanks to our friends at the New Jersey Hellenic American Heritage Commission for providing this flyer. Share it widely!) Question 9 about Race: When asked on the Census form to indicate your race, you can mark or check "White," and under the designation, write-in "Greek" or "Cypriot" to indicate your ethnicity/ancestry.    Census documents have arrived in the mail. People will be able to respond to the census online, by phone, or by mail. You can choose the option that works best for you.   Personal information provided on the census is kept confidential by law. Share: Hellenic Pride Census flyer | Greek glossary | Fact Sheet on Race Question | Beware of Census fraud/scams

Complete the U.S. Census Online

The Senate Must Act!

View our Latest Action Alert

Contact Senators and urge them to: Uphold American values and security interests.  Hold Turkey responsible for its actions. Urge Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring sanctions legislation to the Senate Floor. The House acted. Now the Senate must. Contact the US Senate Today! Take Action: Learn More!

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