American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association: We are thankful for you!

 

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

From the Desk of the Supreme President Dear AHEPA Family & Friends,   At this time of year, despite a global pandemic, we are reminded that we have plenty for which to be thankful. We are especially grateful to our volunteer members who give unselfishly of their time and resources in service to the community as exemplified most recently by safely responding to the coronavirus pandemic and coming to the assistance of frontline heroes and vulnerable communities through the AHEPA Cares initiative in addition to backing public health research in Greece with a $30,000 grant. Separately, AHEPA has raised more than $50,000 to provide natural disaster relief to communities that have suffered through unprecedented wildfires in California and numerous hurricanes and tropical storms in the southeastern United States. In recent years our members have: assisted the victims of the Flint Water Crisis with eight "Milk for Flint" drives (and a ninth drive to come), surpassed $1 million in raising funds for cancer research and continue to demonstrate an enduring commitment to Thalassemia (Cooley's Anemia) research, helped to feed the hungry and provided public health assistance in Greece and established a medical library at Evangelismos Hospital, honored our veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, raised awareness about the consequences of PTSD and sponsored 43 service dogs to help wounded warriors (again, with more to come), helped neighbors to recover from natural disasters, awarded millions of dollars in scholarships at the national, district and chapter levels (collectively an approximate $2 million annually); and continued to provide dignified affordable housing for low-income and disabled elderly persons as a recognized nationwide leader in the sector.   The commitment and dedication of our members is unwavering. We are also thankful for our generous donors and sponsors who have helped us to meet our mission by supporting our many programs and events -- and to our benefactors who have bolstered our Century Capital Campaign to celebrate our upcoming 100th anniversary. As a reminder, this #GivingTuesday, please take a moment to make the AHEPA Charitable Foundation, from which our charitable giving programs are administered, a priority. On behalf of the AHEPA family, I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!  Fraternally, George G. Horiates, Esq. Supreme President PS -- Don't forget, members are they key to our successful service programs. Know of an individual who can make a positive contribution to the promotion and preservation of Hellenic ideals? Ask them to join AHEPA!

Ahepans provide Thanksgiving meals, clothing to individuals in need

 

Vol. 14 Issue 47 | Wednesday, November 25, 2020 AHEPA E-News Ahepans provide Thanksgiving meals, clothing to individuals in need Ahepans are conveying their "thanks" by giving back to vulnerable populations in their communities. We are pleased to share a few community service and philanthropic deeds with our audience. In memory of Brother John Sempeles, Chapter 64, Harrisburg, Pa., donated $2,000 to four local charities to help feed those who are in need. The Ahepans (pictured at top) presented a $500 donation each to: Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the Bethesda Mission, the Boys Club of Greater Harrisburg, and the Philoptochos of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Camp Hill, Pa. Brother Sempeles, who passed unexpectedly a year ago, donated his time to several civic and charitable organizations in the Greater Harrisburg area. The chapter has collected and donated a total of $5,000 in Sempeles' memory. The board of AHEPA 408 Apartments, Wilmington, N.C., catered Thanksgiving dinners for the residents on Nov. 23. Chris’ Restaurant delivered 63 individually packaged meals to the community for the residents and staff (pictured second, at right). The board of directors of AHEPA 29 Phase III Apartments, Houston, donated Thanksgiving meals that were delivered yesterday. In addition, residents were gifted a kit that included hand sanitizer, a surgical mask, and a face mask branded with AHEPA Management Company's logo, all which were donated by a relative of the community's service coordinator (pictured third, at right). Also, the board of AHEPA 35 Manor Apartments, Nashua, N.H., prepared and delivered Thanksgiving meals for residents of the community last week. AHEPA 408 Apartments, AHEPA 29-III Apartments, and AHEPA 35 Manor are affordable independent senior living communities for low-income elderly persons administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program and managed by AHEPA Affordable Housing Management Company. In addition, Ahepans from Leonidas Chapter 77, Binghamton, N.Y. are giving back to their community this holiday season by promoting and self-funding a coat drive for needy local school children. They worked in cooperation with two guidance counselors. As #GivingTuesday and the holiday season approach, amid a challenging environment due to COVID-19, AHEPA will be issuing a challenge to its chapters to go the extra mile to help those in need. More details coming! (Chapter 77 photo credit: Anastasios Stefos via The National Herald) More than $50,000 raised for natural disasters relief AHEPA has opened its Emergency Relief Fund to provide assistance to the victims of the wildfires that devastated California and of a slew of hurricanes and tropical storms, 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. 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! Join AHEPA Today! In our own words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now! 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 faces renewed lockdown as pressure on hospitals rises Associated Press (Nov. 23) Greece is set to extend its lockdown measures beyond the end of November given the spread of COVID-19 and the pressure on hospitals, the country’s health minister warned Monday. read more Also: Greece reports 101 Covid-19 deaths, 562 intubations (Ekathimerini) Giannis Antetokounmpo Distributes Food to the Needy in Athens Greek Reporter (Nov. 24) Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is currently training in Greece, donated and distributed boxes of food for people in need at the church of Agios Meletios in Sepolia, the neighborhood where he grew up, on Monday. read more How a legacy of crises inspired Greeks’ compassionate response to COVID-19 National Geographic via MSN (Nov. 20) October 11 was a busy day at O Allos Anthropos (“The Other Person”), a community soup kitchen in the Kerameikos neighborhood of Athens, Greece. The organization had posted an open invitation on Instagram for help. So many people showed up that there wasn’t enough for everyone to do. read more Ancient Bust of Greek God Hermes Found During Work on Athens’ Sewage System Smithsonian Magazine (Nov. 18) In ancient Greece, lifelike—and, in some cases, larger-than-life—statues of gods and goddesses towered over temples, inspiring acolytes to seek blessings and present offerings. The majority of these sculptures disappeared over the intervening centuries, falling victim to vandals, medieval lime-kilns and other ravages of time. read more Greek Food and Wine Pairings for the Holiday Season The National Herald (Nov. 24) As the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday approaches, most of us are riddled with what to prepare and pair. We typically want to offer something better and more creative than last year's offerings. Most Greek households have the habit of overwhelming guests with a plethora of offerings and selections. read more 86-Year-Old Cretan Filo Maker Becomes Viral Sensation The Pappas Post (Nov. 20) An 86-year-old filo dough maker from the island of Crete has become a viral sensation with a video posted by the business site Insider, has exceeded 5 million (and counting) views.