AHEPA receives $20,000 gift from Demetrios & Stamatoula Manolis

 

Vol. 14 Issue 46 | Wednesday, November 18, 2020 AHEPA E-News AHEPA receives $20,000 gift from Demetrios & Stamatoula Manolis AHEPA is elated to be the recipient of a $20,000 gift from Demetrios and Stamatoula Manolis, of Maryland, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. The Manolises made the donation ahead of #GivingTuesday. It will go toward AHEPA’s “Century Capital Campaign.” The goal of this development campaign is to increase the current endowment to $10 million by AHEPA’s 100th anniversary in 2022. “We are deeply grateful to Demetrios and Stamatoula Manolis for their generous gift,” Supreme President Horiates said. “Thanks to their kindness and generosity, we have taken another step toward our ambitious Century Capital Campaign goal. Furthermore, our mission and the charitable programs that support it, are strengthened significantly.” Brother Manolis, a member of Worthington Chapter 30, Baltimore, stated, "I have been impressed and appreciative of the Supreme President's leadership, guiding AHEPA into the needed call to Defend Hellenism. It has been remarkable, especially during the pandemic. We encourage all members and friends to donate to AHEPA to ensure these wonderful programs, and the mission for which we fight, will continue for future generations."  AHEPA-sponsored COVID-19 research helps to optimize Greece's national response In April, AHEPA donated $30,000 to the Center for Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), an Athens-based research center working to support the public health of the people of Greece in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The grant to CLEO has contributed to the development and implementation of a robust on-the-ground training program for healthcare professionals working in newly established COVID-19 primary care centers and COVID-19-dedicated hospitals in Greece. CLEO has provided its second progress report of its projects supported by AHEPA that covers activities from August to October 2020. Following the training of healthcare workers at specialized COVID-19 centers in Athens made possible AHEPA's grant, CLEO developed audit tools to assess readiness against COVID-19, as part of a continued collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Health. The first set of audits were conducted in 117 hospitals across the country and showed a majority of hospitals were well prepared to respond to COVID-19 and that most hospital staff were aware of infection prevention practices. Importantly, the audits also revealed several targets for improvement, enabling the Health Ministry to respond effectively to cover health system needs and to optimize further the national COVID-19 healthcare strategy. A first progress report provided by CLEO is published in the fall 2020 edition of The Ahepan Congressional letter on Cyprus applauded U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis AHEPA applauds a a bipartisan congressional letter led by U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), co-chairs of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the State Department to hold Turkey accountable for its illegal reopening of the beach in Varosha and to condemn President Erdogan’s recent rhetoric in support of a two-state solution for Cyprus, announced Supreme President George G. Horiaties. Representatives Maloney and Bilirakis and 21 of their colleagues signed the November 16 letter to Secretary Pompeo. The Members write, in part, “The United States must hold Turkey accountable for its illegal actions in Varosha and demand that the Turkish government immediately remove and prohibit anyone from occupying the area. Without tangible repercussions from the United States, President Erdogan will continue to operate as though he can act with impunity." "We sincerely thank Representatives Maloney and Bilirakis for spearheading this important bipartisan-supported letter to Secretary Pompeo," Horiates said. "We thank all the signatories, and we urge the U.S. government to hold Turkey accountable, especially through sanctions." read the congressional letter Veterans Day Commemorated in NYC Supreme President George G. Horiates and Supreme Vice President Jimmy Kokotas participated at a Veterans Day ceremony hosted by Delphi Chapter 25, Manhattan, N.Y., Nov. 11, 2020. The Ahepans laid a wreath at the 107th Infantry Memorial which honors Veterans who died during World War I. In this small, symbolic way, Ahepans paid tribute to all Veterans who served. The Memorial is located at the intersection of East 67th Street and Fifth Avenue in Central Park. After the event, Supreme President Horiates presented Brother George Venizelos, a former FBI assistant director for New York City, with the AHEPA Heroes Medal; and District 6 Governor Lou Katsos with the District Governor of the Year Award. More than $50,000 raised for natural disasters relief Hurricane Iota is the strongest hurricane of the season AHEPA has opened its Emergency Relief Fund to provide assistance to the victims of the wildfires that are devastating California and a slew of hurricanes and tropical storms, most recently, Hurricanes Eta and now, Iota, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates (view video). New totals! More than $50,000 raised (see list) “These natural disasters have caused widespread devastation affecting millions of people,” Supreme President Horiates said. “Our thoughts are prayers are with communities impacted by these natural disasters, and we must do our part to help and make an difference for those in need. We urge our AHEPA chapters, members, and supporters to provide assistance through our Emergency Relief Fund as we have done traditionally when natural disasters strike or most recently in response to COVID-19.” Supreme President Horiates has made the following appeal: Each chapter to donate a minimum $250 to the Emergency Relief Fund (a 501(c)3 donation), and For chapters and/or individuals to secure one (1) $500 donor from the community-at-large  AHEPA established the Emergency Fund 15 years ago. Since its inception more than $1 million has been donated from the fund to those affected by national disasters. read more | ICYMI AHEPA Housing donates $25K Donate to the AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Greece Is the Word in 2021 Make Reservations! | Athens Supreme Convention AHEPA is preparing for the 99th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention to be held in Athens, Greece, July 25 to 31, 2021. The official convention hotel will be the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Reservation deadline is March 31, 2021. Greece will be celebrating the bicentennial of its independence in 2021 and the AHEPA family will be there to join in the celebration! See you there! New! Make Reservations | more info Don't miss out! 100th anniversary member data project underway AHEPA recently launched a comprehensive 100th Anniversary member data verification project, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. "We are requesting all members of AHEPA to contact us for this important project and encourage you to be a part of the Centennial celebrations," Horiates said, adding that members should have received an email with detailed instruction this week. "We've assembled the information currently listed in our member files and now need your help to confirm the accuracy of your data and fill in any information gaps." Up-to-date member information is critical in helping AHEPA promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism. That's why it's so important to call. Please call 1-888-827-6103 (toll-free) to take care of this important matter today. AHEPA mobilizes against Turkey's provocations In a memo to organizational leaders, Supreme President George G. Horiates provided instruction for Ahepans to mobilize against Turkey's provocations. Turkey has escalated tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean to dangerous levels not seen since 1996 through violations of international norms and international and U.S. law, Horiates writes in the memo. "Turkey’s actions are not only illegal, but they are not in the best interests of the United States and place lives unnecessarily in harm’s way," Horiates states. The memo recaps actions taken by AHEPA to address Turkey's provocations and how Ahepans, and by extension, the community, can help going forward. "We stand ready to assist you with this most important mobilization to address this pressing matter that threatens NATO ally, Greece; strategic partner, Cyprus; and U.S. interests in the region, overall," Horiates concludes. Mobilization Tool Kit Memo to AHEPA Leaders Template Letter to Public Officials Talking Points Boycott Turkey Info Sheet The Senate Must Act! View our 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!