AHEPA E-News

 

AHEPA E-News

Milk for Flint Drive Delivers Covid Relief More than a thousand people provided with humanitarian aid

The AHEPA family of Michigan completed its second Covid relief drive under the banner of its “Milk for Flint” Drive. The drive provided humanitarian assistance to 347 individuals and families, representing 1,121 people, on May 18, 2021. In addition to delivering milk, the Ahepans and Daughters volunteered to help distribute donated USDA food boxes. Each box contained meats, cheeses, milk, fruits, vegetables, and more. They also distributed “Personal item bags” to 231 adults and 130 children that contained toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and soap; items that most of us take for granted. The Ahepans and Daughters also supported a free vision screening station, which was a new and popular service to those individuals who would not normally be able to afford access to the service. Vision screenings were provided to 56 individuals and 253 eyeglass frames were given out for free. Chairman Craig Theros, PSG, thanked Flint's Catholic Charities "Center for Hope," led by Mary Stevenson, for once again making the "first call for help" to AHEPA to distribute the USDA food boxes.

When asked, “Why the AHEPA first,” Mary stated, "The AHEPA has been a very reliable group that continues to want to help those in need. Other groups come and go, but the AHEPA has been a constant force in helping those in one of Michigan's most depressed communities since 2016." Theros also thanked Judge Tom Yeotis for buying lunch for all the volunteers after the drive ended. Ten "Milk for Flint" Drives have been held--eight of which each delivered a truckload of nearly 2,000 gallons of milk and two of which have provided Covid relief. AHEPA has raised more than $30,000 to donate 15,552 gallons of milk to aid the victims, earning special recognition from the City of Flint.

AHEPA Joins Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation as a Founding Member

The Order of AHEPA is pleased to become a Founding Member of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation: For the Sacred See of Saint Andrew, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. A watershed initiative of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation is dedicated to achieving economic independence for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, so that it may fulfill its apostolic mission in perpetuity. Founding Members of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation have committed to ensuring the financial foundation of the Holy Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, by pledging $100,000 over 10 years. read more

Did You Know? May Is Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month! Did you know? The AHEPA National Housing Corporation (ANHC) via its subsidiary, AHEPA Affordable Housing Management Company (AMC), is a leading provider of affordable supportive and affordable assisted senior living communities in the United States? There are 91 AHEPA affordable senior housing communities for very low-income seniors and disabled persons administered by the HUD 202 Program located in 20 states. The portfolio also includes four affordable assisted living communities in Indiana. learn more | Older Americans Month 2021

Help to Pass U.S. House's Greek Independence Resolution

House Resolution Recognizing 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence Needs More Co-Sponsors - Ask Your U.S. Representative to Co-sponsor! Thank you to everyone who has outreached to their members of Congress and who have secured their co-sponsorships! We've received quite a few emails of your success stories.  A bipartisan resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing the 200th anniversary of the independence of Greece has been introduced by lead sponsor U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and several original sponsors from the Congressional Hellenic Caucus. The resolution, H.Res.246, emphasizes the hard-fought struggle for independence of the Greek people, and the historic and dynamic relationship that defines the deep American-Hellenic ties. The resolution has ten co-sponsors and rests with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “We encourage the community to outreach to their U.S. representative to urge their co-sponsorship of the House resolution," Supreme President George G. Horiates said. "We call for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass it swiftly." AHEPA applauded the Senate's passage of a companion bipartisan Senate resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, sponsored by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and John Barrasso (R-WY), on March 25, 2021, Supreme President Horiates said.

Take Action | Find/Contact Your U.S. Representatives

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. New/Updated! Reservation deadline is May 31, 2021. Revised (5/18/21) Convention Schedule Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Konstantinos Vlassis (at right) recorded a special message to the AHEPA family on the occasion of the upcoming Athens Supreme Convention. Emirates Airline is the official airline partner of the 2021 AHEPA Supreme Convention. A special AHEPA-only rate will be announced in March. 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! 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.

Calendar of Events & Deadlines

May 31 | Deadline: 99th Supreme Convention Hotel Reservations June 5 | Hoosier District 12 Convention 11 | Cyprus District 27 Convention 12 | Capital District 3 and Golden Gate District 21 Conventions 17 - 19 | Citrus District 2 Convention 18 - 19 | Grainfield District 14 and Hellas District 25 Conventions 19 | Buckeye District 11, Blue Ribbon District 13 and El Camino Real District 20 Conventions 19 - 20 | Empire District 6 Convention 26 | Mother Lodge District 1 Convention July 26 - 31 | 99th Annual AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, Athens, Greece

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Greek American News Digest

Editor's Note Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.

Greece Is The Word: Why It’s The Most-Booked European Destination For Summer Forbes (May 22) When it comes to attracting visitors for what is shaping up to be a huge summer travel season, it really pays for destinations to get out ahead of the pack. Last week, the European Union announced that its member countries would soon open to vaccinated travelers from outside the bloc, including Americans. read more Opinion | Greece Is Making a Comeback in the Eastern Mediterranean Foreign Policy (May 14) With Greece’s foreign minister recently returned from a peace mission to Israel and Palestine and its prime minister having roved North Africa from Tripoli to Cairo, Greece is making a major diplomatic comeback around the Eastern Mediterranean. read more Cyprus, Greece, Egypt: new threats need tighter defense ties Associated Press (May 19) The defense ministers of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt said Wednesday that emerging regional threats and challenges necessitate even closer cooperation and will seek to invite more countries to take part in joint military drills that aim to sharpen their preparedness levels. read more Wildfires Strike Greece Again, Mountains, and Island of Tzia The National Herald (May 17) Wildfires that frequently hit Greece – some said deliberately set to clear forests for development – began earlier this year, wiping out a mountain range west of Athens and another sweeping through a region on the island of Tzia where a tourist project was underway. read more Greek gastronomy at your fingertips Ekathimerini (May 24) The government is preparing a plan for the promotion of Greek cuisine abroad with the support of the Next Generation EU fund. The plan foresees the creation of apps that will allow users to use their smartphones or computers to locate the nearest Greek restaurant, procure Greek products available near them (or have them sent by post or courier), as well as find recipes and nutritional information, among other functions. read more Greece to mark 40th anniversary of EU membership on Thursday Ekathimerini (May 25) The 40th anniversary of Greece’s accession to the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor to the European Union, will be commemorated at a special event to be held in Zappeion Hall on Thursday. read more

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

May 26, 2021

AHEPA presents $20,000 to Odyssey Charter School Supreme President leads groundbreaking for newest monument

On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, Supreme President George G Horiates traveled to Wilmington, Delaware to visit the Odyssey Charter School. The school, created by AHEPA Wilmington Chapter and supported over the years by AHEPA is a charter school that specializes in immersion techniques for Greek language.

Last year the Supreme President was the guest commencement speaker at the school’s first 12th grade graduation. Noting pre-pandemic AHEPA’s support of the school, AHEPA’s last regional banquet was a benefit for Odyssey in 2019. Today, the Supreme President presented the administration at Odyssey with a $20,000 gift from AHEPA. Elias Rhigas, President of the Board of Directors stated “the school wanted to stay true to its roots of a Hellenistic education. We have seen AHEPA leading the diaspora in celebrating the Greek Bicentennial. We thought what a wonderful expression of gratitude in having the Supreme President come again this year like so many of his predecessors.”

Elias Pappas, Head of the school stated, “These monies will go towards the building of a monument base and flag pole carrying the flags of the USA and Greece at the front of the school. A brick array and marble bases will also be created with AHEPA prominently displayed for our future students, parents and administrators to know that it was AHEPA that assisted not only in the formative years but throughout with its dedication to Hellenism and education.” “We thank the Odyssey Charter School for continuing in the promotion of Hellenism through education, we are proud of what has been accomplished here,” remarked Supreme President Horiates. "Additionally, the Greek Bicentennial year and the wind up to our AHEPA Centennial has been a wonderful time as AHEPA has highlighted and categorized its public works." The Supreme President cited AHEPA’s first public work in Ypsilanti, its second work dedicated to Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe in Rhode Island, the Sons of Pericles memorial dedicated to the Exodus of Missolonghi in Greece and AHEPA’s support of the Brumidi statue in Annapolis as examples of statues recently highlighted during the Bicentennial. Supreme President Horiates emphasized that there are many others, and that, “adding the Odyssey Charter School to this long and historic list during this Greek Bicentennial year will historically record the work of AHEPA on this campus with hopes for its future”.

The Odyssey Charter School, started by AHEPA, specializes in Greek language immersion and teaches generations about every aspect of Hellenism. AHEPA continues its support of this superior facility. To learn more, please visit their website by clicking the button below.

Click to Visit The Odyssey Charter School Website!