THE AHEPAN - AHEPA HELLAS

Transcription

THE AHEPAN - AHEPA HELLAS
The Official Publication of the
American Hellenic Educational
Progressive Association
www.ahepa.org
SUMMER 2015
CIVIL RIGHTS
ICON HONORED
AHEPA SUPREME LODGE 2014-2015
SUPREME PRESIDENT
Phillip T. Frangos
SUPREME COUNSELOR
Gregory Stamos
REGION 3
Phil Vogis
REGION 8
Robert D. Sexton
998 Applegate Lane
East Lansing, MI 48823
W: 517-351-1774
F: 517-351-1856
Cell: 517-256-8517
supremepresident@ahepa.org
1108 Racebrook Rd.
Woodbridge, CT 06525
W: 203-735-9293
stamosatty@sbcglobal.net
151 Fernwood Drive
Old Tappan, NJ 07675
W: 201-652-4774
Cell: 551-206-4110
F: 201-652-0789
pvogis@verizon.net
2875 Prescott Avenue
Clovis, CA 93619
W: 559-294-3644
Cell: 559-970-8316
Rdsexton57@gmail.com
CANADIAN PRESIDENT
Kenneth Matziorinis
SUPREME ATHLETIC
DIRECTOR
Louis G. Atsaves
4862 Felix-McLernan
Pierrefonds, Quebec H8Y 3K1
Canada
W: 514-884-6962
kenneth.matziorinis@sympatico.ca
745 – E. Northmoor Rd., Box 564
Lake Forest, IL 60045
W: 312-322-0001
F: 312-461-1486
Cell: 847-401-1674
Atsaves@aol.com
SUPREME VICE PRESIDENT
John W. Galanis
SONS NATIONAL ADVISOR
Jimmy Kokotas
1200 Woodlawn Cir.
Elm Grove, WI 53122
W: 414-271-5400
Fax: 414-271-5571
JWG@GPJLaw.com
SUPREME SECRETARY
Andy Zachariades
305 Worth Street
Brick, NJ 08724
W: 212-266-8263
Cell: 908-419-4053
zach.111@att.net
SUPREME TREASURER
Tom Gober
3537 – 44th Street
Highland, IN 46322
W: 219-392-7292
F: 219-392-7295
grectec@msn.com
REGION 4
Frank P. Fotis
473 Concord Ave.
Lexington, MA 02421
H: 781-863-5849
frankfotis@yahoo.com
REGION 5
Costas Boutsikakis
2341 – E. 71st Street
Brooklyn, NY 11234
Cell: 917-584-5599
Ahepa1922@gmail.com
5700 Creek View Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
W: 734-665-5909
Cell: 734-604-8737
cib7@comcast.net
SUPREME GOVERNORS
(By Region)
REGION 6
Nick Kavadas
REGION 1
Demetrios Kirkiles
1619 South Andrews Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
W: 954-463-6500
kirkileslaw@bellsouth.net
REGION 2
Robert Stepp
14713 Green Forest Drive
Colonia Heights, VA 23834
W: 804-520-8535
Cell: 804-920-8453
robstepp75@gmail.com
237 Turin Dr.
Schereville, IN 46375
W: 630-713-9718
F: 630-713-9718
Cell: 630-531-2979
njk33@yahoo.com
REGION 7
Tim Joannides
10013 Wayne Road
Cheyenne, WY 82009
W: 307-634-1511
F: 307-634-6855
timj@halladaymotors.com
REGION 10
Nicholas C. Papadopoulos
14 Papagou Street
Voula, Athens 16673 Greece
Cell: 693-232-4807
F: 210-899-2538
Nickson11@outlook.com
DAUGHTERS
OF PENELOPE
GRAND PRESIDENT
Anna-Helene Grossomanides
153 High Street, Unit 3
Westerly, RI 02891
Cell: 917-836-7684
ahgdopgrandpres@cox.net
SONS OF PERICLES
SUPREME PRESIDENT
James Googas
12 Googas Road
Slingerlands, NY 12159
Cell: 518-438-2093
j.googas@sonsofpericles.com
MAIDS OF ATHENA
GRAND PRESIDENT
Deanna Socaris
20 Great View Terrace
Voorheesville, NY 12186
Cell: 518-788-5408
moagrandpresident@gmail.com
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2014-2015
CHAIRMAN
Nicholas A. Karacostas, Esq.
(2017)
29-10 212th Street
Bayside, NY 11360
W: 201-743-3883
F: 201-743-4657
Cell: 917-846-6507
nakaraco@aol.com
VICE CHAIRMAN
Constantine P. Calliontzis
(2015)
126 Vine Rock St.
Dedham, MA 02026
H: 781-326-8744
ccalliontzis@yahoo.com
SECRETARY
Cos Marandos (2016)
102 Peele Road
Nashua, NH 03062
W/Cell: 603-566-0891
F: 603-888-5517
marandos@comcast.net
Vassos Chrysanthou (2017)
2212 Arvell Court
Toms River, NJ 08755
W: 908-901-9071
F: 732-901-2210
vassos@prodigy.net
George E. Loucas, R.Ph. J.D.
(2015)
250 Spectrum Bldg.
6060 Rockside Woods Blvd.
Independence, OH 44131
W: 216-834-0400
Cell: 216-956-1234
gloucas@loucaslaw.com
Nick Matthews (2016)
William “Vasilios” Albanos, Jr.
229 Dogwood Lane
Cobbs Creek, VA 23035
Cell: 804-815-4321
nikosmatthews@gmail.com
723 Pleasant Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404
Cell: 630-842-0579 (virtual office)
meatsheet@aol.com
BOARD OF AUDITORS
Craig S. Clawson, CPA
Christopher G. Gallis
302 S. 53rd Street
Omaha, NE 68132
W: 402-391-5000
F: 402-391-4509
craig@clawsoncpas.com
4735 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Cell: 718-332-2577
Cgallis@aol.com
The Official Publication of the
American Hellenic Educational
Progressive Association
The AHEPAN (ISSN 0746-133X) is
published quarterly, by the Order of AHEPA,
1909 Q St., NW, Suite 500 Washington,
DC 20009, Tel: (202)232-6300 Copyright
© AHEPA, 2015. All rights reserved. In
accordance with the AHEPA Constitution,
$1.50 of per capita tax is allocated as a
subscription for The AHEPAN.
SUMMER 2015
Volume 88, Number 2
POSTMASTER
14
Send address changes to:
The AHEPAN
1909 Q Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009
Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC
and additional mailing offices.
Editorial Board
George Anagnostos, Chair
James Scofield, PSP
Dr. Spiro J. Macris, PSP
Andrew Kaffes
9
Design & Production
Mercury Publishing Services
AHEPA
Headquarters
1909 Q St., NW, Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-232-6300, Fax: 202-232-2140
e-mail: ahepa@ahepa.org
Web site: www.ahepa.org
Executive Director
Basil N. Mossaidis
Controller
Patrice Farish, CPA
Director of Membership
Services & Database
11
F E AT U R E S
9 AHEPA Participates at 50th Anniversary of
Selma to Montgomery March
11 41st Congressional Banquet Honors Excellence
and Service in the Community
14 AHEPA Family Leadership Concludes
Successful Overseas Mission
Rosalind Ofuokwu
Programs Coordinator
Rory Puckerin
Executive Administrative Assistant
Stephanie Maniatis
Daughters of Penelope
Executive Director
Elena V. Saviolakis
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40023954
Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses To:
PO Box 503
RPO West Bever Creek
Richmond Hill ON L4B 4R6
FOLLOW AHEPA
www.ahepa.org
D E PA R T M E N T S
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President’s Message
AHEPA Family News
Periclean
Veterans
Civic Responsibility
St. Nicholas Capital Campaign
Housing
Athletics
AHEPA Family Chapter News
In Memoriam
The Official Publication of the
American Hellenic Educational
Progressive Association
www.ahepa.org
SUMMER 2015
CIVIL RIGHTS
ICON HONORED
On the Cover
AHEPA presented Congressman
John Lewis, Icon of the Civil Rights
Movement, with the 2015 AHEPA Pericles
Award at the 41st Biennial Congressional
Banquet. Top: In the background is the
Edmund Pettus Bridge where voting
rights marchers, including Lewis, were
violently confronted March 7, 1965—a
day known as Bloody Sunday.
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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A MESSAGE FROM PHILLIP T. FRANGOS, AHEPA SUPREME PRESIDENT
We Must Preserve the Legacy We Inherited
At the beginning of the Twentieth Century a remarkable group of young men and women came
from impoverished Greece to seek a better life economically. They came with limited education and
little more than the clothes they wore and the baggage they carried. However, inculcated with the
ancient Hellenic values and ideals including an outstanding work ethic, they supported their families
in Greece, grew new roots and pursued opportunity in a new land, while retaining their cultural and
religious heritage.
Phillip T. Frangos
If wages were low, they worked more hours. If jobs were scarce, they were creative and found their
niche in the community. They realized quickly that in numbers there was strength and afforded a
better chance to take advantage of opportunities and overcome adversity. It was out of this spirit that
the Order of AHEPA was founded in 1922.
Their efforts brought Greek Orthodox churches to their communities. Their dedication and commitment made them leaders in the vocations where they chose to earn their income and they became
one of the most economically successful ethnic groups. Their appreciation and understanding of
education resulted in their children being among the most educated. They retained their cultural and
spiritual ties with Mother Hellas, but they became leaders in their adopted land of America.
AHEPA’s growth reflects this success. This past year I traveled over 40,000 miles and experienced
our fraternity’s achievements. I saw the respect in which AHEPA is held by our religious hierarchy
and government leaders here and abroad. I saw AHEPA housing complexes that are home to some
5,000 elderly citizens. I spoke at AHEPA receptions where young people were among those receiving
almost $1,000,000 in scholarships. I witnessed AHEPA foundations making grants for the cure of
diseases. I attended events exhibiting AHEPA’s civic and cultural leadership.
However, challenges remain. The world has evolved and become more complex. Traditional values
and ideals must be preserved. Great dangers confront Hellenism and Orthodoxy. Greece is in danger
of imploding because of dire economic conditions. Cyprus remains tragically divided after 41 years.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate remains under siege. Some 44 years have elapsed since the Turkish
government closed the seminary at Halki, the fountainhead of our Orthodox faith. Fellow Orthodox
are being martyred in the Middle East and North Africa.
More than ever AHEPA’s leadership at the international, national, district and chapter levels is critical. We must make better known at all levels who we are and what we do. We must increase our
engagement in national and local civic activities. We must be creative in the programs we sponsor.
We should engage young people and Philhellenes in the development and execution of those activities and programs.
We are the heirs of a great legacy we must strive to protect and preserve. We owe it to those who came
before us and to those who follow us. If we stay true to the values, principles and ideals which have
guided our AHEPA these many years, we will meet and overcome the challenges confronting our
faith and society. Let us do so with continued commitment, fraternalism, enthusiasm and passion.
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
www.ahepa.org
AHEPA FAMILY NEWS
AHEPA Family Celebrates Greek
Independence at White House
The AHEPA family celebrated the 194th Anniversary of Greek Independence at a White
House ceremony held April 16, 2015. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph
Biden, Jr. and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios provided remarks.
“We thank President Obama for hosting the American Hellenic community and for
issuing a proclamation that calls on the people of the United States to observe Greek
Independence Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities,” Supreme President
Phillip T. Frangos said.
He added, “AHEPA treasures the fact that representatives of the American Hellenic
community have been welcome to the White House since AHEPA’s meeting with
President Calvin Coolidge in 1924.”
Supreme President Frangos, Daughters of Penelope Grand President Anna-Helene
Grossomanides, Sons of Pericles Supreme President Jimmy Googas, Chairman of the
Board Nicholas Karacostas, PSP; AHEPA Executive Director Basil Mossaidis, and DOP
Executive Director Elena Saviolakis, represented the AHEPA family. Greece’s Finance
Minister, Yanis Varoufakis, represented the Greek government.
AHEPA Presents Socrates
Award to Speaker Boehner
Public Health Aid Delivered
to Greece Exceeds $5.5M
A container filled with at least $650,000 of medical supplies
was delivered to Alexandroupoli, Greece, March 26, 2015
thanks to funds raised by AHEPA family members, chapters,
and districts and with the medical supplies provided by the
great work of the International Orthodox Christian Charities
(IOCC).
Total public health aid to Greece since the AHEPA campaign began in the fall 2012 in cooperation with the IOCC
has exceeded $5.5 million.
“We congratulate and thank AHEPA District 25 and
AHEPA Democritus Chapter HJ21, Alexandroupoli, for seeing the project through to completion,” Supreme President
Phillip Frangos said.
www.ahepa.org
Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos presented Speaker of the
House of Representatives John Boehner with the 2015 Socrates
Award on April 14, 2015. AHEPA honored Speaker Boehner
for his fulfillment of the American Dream that saw him go
from mopping floors
and waiting tables at his
family tavern, to working his way through
college, to becoming a
small business owner.
Eventually Speaker
Boehner pursued public service and became
the U.S. representative
from Ohio’s Eighth
Congressional District
in 1990. He was elected
the 53rd Speaker of the
House on November 17,
2010 and re-elected to a third term in 2015. Supreme Secretary
Andy Zachariades and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis
accompanied Supreme President Frangos to the award presentation held at the U.S. Capitol.
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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AHEPA FAMILY NEWS
AHEPA Calls on President Obama to Recognize Armenian
Genocide, Congress to Pass Resolution
In the lead-up to the centenary commemorating the Armenian Genocide,
AHEPA called on President Barack
Obama to fulfill his presidential campaign pledge and recognize the systematic killing of 1.5 million Armenians by
Ottoman Turks as Genocide.
“On the solemn occasion that marks
the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, the American Hellenic community praises the actions of Pope
Francis, the European Parliament and
other governing bodies throughout
the world, and the editorial boards
of prominent domestic and international publications, all of which have
recognized the Armenian Genocide,”
Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos
said. “We call on President Obama similarly to issue a statement in recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We join
with the Armenian American community in remembrance of those individuals that perished during the Armenian
Genocide, and we also remember the
slaughter of all Christian minorities
during that time period, including
Pontian and Anatolian Greeks. May
their memories be eternal.”
Unfortunately, President Obama
failed to acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide to commemorate the
centenary.
AHEPA also has urged Congress
to pass H.Res.154, the Armenian
Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution.
Introduced by U.S. Rep. Robert Dold
(R-IL), H.Res.154 has 62 co-sponsors
and strong bipartisan support.
H.Res.154 contains a Whereas
Clause that states the Republic of
Turkey has increased its pressure on
those in Turkish civil society who seek
“justice for this systematic campaign of
destruction of millions of Armenians,
Greeks, Assyrians, Pontians, Syriacs,
and other Christians upon their biblical-era homelands.”
Supreme President Frangos Attends Exhibit on Greek Jewish
Resistance during WWII
Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos attended
the opening of “Synagonistis: Greek Jews in
the National Resistance,” an exhibit presented
by the Embassy of Greece that tells the story
of Greek Jewish resistance during World War
II. The exhibition officially opened April 21,
2015 at the Washington Hebrew Congregation,
Washington, DC. It ran daily through to May
26, 2015.
“AHEPA is a proud co-sponsor of the exhibit,
which highlights the crucial role Greek Jews
played during World War Two,” Frangos said.
“We commend the Embassy of Greece, Jewish
Museum of Greece and the Secretariat General
for Communication for organizing the exhibit
and we also sincerely appreciate the generous
support of our fellow co-sponsors.”
In addition to AHEPA, AHI, B’nai B’rith
International, American Friends of the Jewish
Museum of Greece, and Athina Balta Law
Supreme President Frangos takes in the exhibit with other attendees.
Group LLC, were co-sponsors.
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
www.ahepa.org
AHEPA FAMILY NEWS
Cyprus Children’s Fund Honors AHEPA, Rossides
AHEPA received recognition for its
humanitarian and philanthropic
work for the people of Cyprus
from the Cyprus Children’s Fund
on March 21, 2015, in New York
City. Supreme President Phillip
Frangos accepted the award on
behalf of AHEPA.
“We are deeply grateful to the
Cyprus Children’s Fund for this
award, and in turn, thank the
Fund for the admirable work it
has performed to help underprivileged children of Cyprus,” Frangos
said. “AHEPA is also honored to be
acknowledged alongside an outstanding individual, and Lifetime
Ahepan, American Hellenic
Community dignitaries flank the honorees at the Cyprus Children’s Fund awards dinner.
Institute Founder Gene Rossides.”
The Cyprus Children’s Fund event raised more than $70,000. To learn more about the Fund, visit http://www.cyprus-childrensfund.org/
Indiana Senator Lifts Hold on Greek
Independence Day Resolution
U.S. Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN) lifted a hold he placed on S.Res.105, a resolution in the
U.S. Senate that recognizes the 194th anniversary of the independence of Greece and
celebrates democracy in Greece and the United States, allowing the resolution to pass
the chamber. The senator placed a hold on the resolution because of concern about
statements made by Greece’s Minister of Defense Panos Kammenos, and he asked
Ambassador of Greece Christos P. Panagopoulos to clarify the government’s position.
Ambassador Panagopoulos sent a letter of clarification that provided the senator
with “reassurance about Greek policy,” according to the senator’s Twitter feed and his
statement. Senator Coats also responded to a tweet from U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV),
which mentioned AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope, about lifting the hold on the
resolution.
“We appreciate that the senator and the ambassador were able to work together
to address the senator’s concerns about Greek policy,” Supreme President Phillip T.
Frangos said. “We also appreciated working with the senator’s staff to help on this issue
from the perspective of the American Hellenic community.
The resolution passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent, March 27, 2015.
www.ahepa.org
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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AHEPA FAMILY NEWS
AHEPA Family Members Celebrate Greek Independence Day
From flag-raising ceremonies to laying
wreaths in memory of those who sacrificed, to marching in parades, AHEPA
family members commemorated and
celebrated the 194th anniversary of
Greek Independence in their respective communities.
“AHEPA members worldwide work
with their communities to promote
and sustain the celebration of this
historic day for all Hellenes,” Supreme
President Phillip Frangos said.
A few highlights are presented in
this special pictorial.
Top: Highlights from parades held in New York City,
Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, and Detroit, where Supreme
President Frangos was the Grand Marshal (far left).
Left: Supreme President Frangos with NYC Mayor Bill
de Blasio.
Top Right: Ahepans visited the New Jersey State
House in Trenton to meet Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.
Supreme Governor Phil Vogis presented Lt. Governor
Guodagno with a “Certificate of Recognition” from the
Supreme Lodge.
Right: The annual raising of the Greek Flag and Wreath
Laying ceremony took place at the Richard J. Daley
Center Plaza in the heart of downtown Chicago and
the Greek Flag flew proudly over the State Capitol
of Minnesota in St. Paul thanks to AHEPA Pericles
Chapter 270, St. Paul. In addition, Minnesota issued a
Proclamation honoring Greek Independence Day.
Bottom Right: The Greek Flag was raised and flew
for one week next to the American Flag over Bergen
County Courthouse in New Jersey thanks to the AHEPA
Family of District 5. More than 80 AHEPA family members attended alongside the Honorable Greek Consul
George Iliopoulos, who addressed the audience.
Middle Left: Buckeye District 11 Ahepans celebrated
Greek Independence at the State Capitol in Columbus,
Ohio.
Bottom Left: Canadian President Ken Matziorinis lays a
wreath in observance of Greek Independence Day.
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
www.ahepa.org
AHEPA
Participates
at 50th
Anniversary
of Selma to
Montgomery
March
A
HEPA, represented by Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos, participated at
events held March 6 to 8, 2015 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the
Selma to Montgomery March for voting rights. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led
the march, and Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America, who stood
side-by-side with Dr. King, participated.
“We are proud to participate at events to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of this
historic moment in the Civil Rights Movement in America in solidarity with the African
American community,” Supreme President Frangos said. “We are participating in honor
of those who bravely marched fifty years ago, including Dr. King, Archbishop Iakovos,
a proud AHEPA member; and all civil rights leaders. AHEPA remains committed to the
principles and rights that these bold Americans fought to uphold and secure.”
Past Supreme President Ike Gulas, Supreme Counselor Greg Stamos, and Executive
Director Basil Mossaidis accompanied the supreme president at events held at historic
venues such as the 16th Street Baptist Church, the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, and
the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
“In March 1965, I was 15 months old and living in the suburbs of Philadelphia,
almost 1,000 miles away from Selma, Alabama,” Executive Director Mossaidis wrote in
his blog piece that reflected on his visit to Selma. “In 2015, at the 50th anniversary of
historic Selma to Montgomery March for voting rights, I was honored to be walking the
streets and on the bridge that defined the Civil Rights Movement in America. I’m proud
that AHEPA was the only American Hellenic organization there.”
Fellow Ahepan, Congressman John Sarbanes took it upon himself to make sure our
www.ahepa.org
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN | 9
Top Row (L-R): Supreme
President Frangos,
Supreme Counselor
Stamos, Congressman
Lewis, Past Supreme
President Gulas, and
Executive Director
Mossaidis share a
moment. Gulas and
Mossaidis in front of the
historic Brown Chapel
AME Church from where
the march on Selma
began. Frangos and
Congresswoman Sewell.
Middle Row (L-R):
Sharing time with
Congressmen Sarbanes,
Sires, and Minority Whip
Hoyer.
Bottom Row: With
Senator Sessions.
Bottom Left: The
AHEPA delegation stand
in the foreground of the
Edmund Pettus Bridge.
supreme president and Ahepans
present at Selma were properly
recognized. The AHEPA delegation
was able to interact with the following members during a luncheon on
March 6:
U.S. Reps. John Lewis, Ga.;
Albio Sires, N.J.; Eliot Engel,
N.Y.; Minority Whip Steny Hoyer,
Md.; Earl Blumenauer, Ore.; Gary
Palmer, Ala.; Joaquin Castro, Texas;
Carolyn Maloney, N.Y; Eleanor
Holmes Norton, D.C; Sheila
Jackson-Lee, Texas; John Conyers,
Mich.; Al Green, Texas; Minority
Leader Nancy Pelosi, Calif.; Robert
Aderholt, Ala.; Terri Sewell, Ala.;
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Fla.;
Sander Levin, Mich.; and U.S.
Senators Jeff Sessions, Ala., and
Senator Rob Portman, Ohio; to
name a few.
AHEPA was founded in Atlanta,
Ga., in 1922 to confront bigotry,
discrimination, and racism felt
largely at the hands of the Ku Klux
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
Klan, and over its history, AHEPA
has joined with the NAACP and
B’nai B’rith International to do so.
Furthermore, AHEPA’s role in fostering Greek and African American
unity has been acknowledged by
the state of Maryland in a proclamation issued in 2013.
“Every AHEPA member can
take pride in the organization’s long
tradition of providing support to
underprivileged people,” Mossaidis
said. “Just as our AHEPA forefathers
advocated for the fundamental principles of democracy, freedom and
human rights, so today does AHEPA
stand ready to advocate for the fair
treatment of all. And as AHEPA rapidly approaches its 100-year anniversary (which is only seven short
years from now), we will be able to
reflect proudly upon how AHEPA
has been at the forefront on social
issues and opened doors to pave
Greek America’s pathway into the
Fabric of America.”
www.ahepa.org
41st Congressional Banquet
Honors Excellence and Service
in the Community
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BASIL MOSSAIDIS
A
HEPA held its 41st Biennial Congressional Banquet,
April 29, 2015, at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel,
Washington, DC. Nearly 400 leaders of the Greek
American community from across the United States
and Canada were on-hand to salute excellence and service in
the community.
The honorees were:
U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), 2015 AHEPA Pericles Award,
presented by U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD);
Ambassador Robert W. Peck, ambassador of Canada to the
Hellenic Republic, 2015 AHEPA Aristotle Award, presented by
www.ahepa.org
AHEPA Canadian President Ken Matziorinis;
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, 2015 AHEPA
Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award, accepted by
Ambassador Vassilis Kaskarelis, senior advisor to the Board
of Directors and member of the Executive Management Team
of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, presented by AHEPA
National Educational Foundation Secretary George Vorkas;
Col. Alan C. Macaulay, (USMC ret.), 2015 AHEPA Military
Medal of Honor, presented by AHEPA Public Policy Chairman
Carl Hollister (Maj., U.S. Army, ret.);
Ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, 2015
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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Col. Macaulay receives the
AHEPA Military Medal of
Honor from Banquet Chairman
Zachariades, Public Policy
Chairman and Veteran Hollister,
and Supreme President Frangos.
Daughters of Penelope Civic Responsibility Award, presented
by Daughters of Penelope Grand President Anna-Helene
Grossomanides; and
AHEPA Past Supreme President Gus J. James, II, 2015
AHEPA Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Supreme
President Phillip T. Frangos.
In acceptance remarks, the honorees shared their inspirational personal stories of triumph over adversity and reflected
upon the importance of public service and community service. They also expressed gratitude toward the AHEPA and
Daughters of Penelope for promoting these principles.
Icon of the Civil Rights Movement: “Good Trouble,
Necessary Trouble”
In his introduction of Congressman Lewis, Congressman
Sarbanes described him as “A hero of our time and of all
time.” In addition to the Pericles Award, Congressman
Lewis was presented with a custom-framed copy of the
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
historic March 26, 1965 issue of LIFE magazine “Memorial
at Selma” with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and His Eminence
Archbishop Iakovos on the cover. The inscription written on
the frame stated in part, “In Commemoration of the Unity
of the African American and Greek Communities.” Lewis
sustained severe injuries from the beatings he received as a
participant in the “Bloody Sunday” voting rights march on
March 7, 1965.
“When Dr. Martin Luther King issued a call, members of your
church responded, and we will never forget it,” Congressman
Lewis said. “And fifty years later you came to Selma to walk
with us. Thank you.”
About his own participation during the Civil Rights
Movement after having been inspired to take action by the
words and deeds of Dr. King and Rosa Parks, Lewis said, “I got
in trouble. Good trouble, necessary trouble. And I became convinced that there is not any room in our society for discrimination based on race, or color, or faith, or what part of the world
you may come from.”
Lewis also quoted the late Philip Randolph, organizer of the
1963 March on Washington, saying: “Maybe our foremothers
and forefathers all came to this great land in different ships, but
we are all in the same boat now.”
The banquet program included a Keynote Address from His
Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and Response from Supreme
President Phillip T. Frangos. Ahepan Jim Vlassopoulos, retired
deputy fire chief, Washington, DC Fire & EMS Department;
and Dianne Katsakis Quebral, corporate social responsibility
program manager at Fairfax County, Virginia; made a special
presentation to support the participation of police officers and
firefighters from Greece in the Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire
Games.
www.ahepa.org
“Maybe our foremothers and forefathers all came to this great land in
different ships, but we are all in the same boat now.”
—U.S. Rep. John Lewis, quoting Philip Randolph, organizer of the 1963 March on Washington
At Left: Congressman Lewis delivers acceptance remarks. Top Right: Past Supreme President James receives the AHEPA Lifetime Achievement
Award. Right: Brother Vlassopoulos raises awareness about the need to support the participation of Greek representatives to the 2015 World
Police and Fire Games held in Fairfax, Va.
Due to votes in congress, U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) and
AHEPA Executive Director Basil Mossaidis shared duties as the
master of ceremonies. Banquet Chairman Andy Zachariades,
supreme secretary, welcomed the audience. His Eminence
Archbishop Demetrios provided the Invocation and Benediction.
The guests were treated to patriotic music from “The
President’s Own” United States Marine Corps Band under the
direction of MSgt Duane F. King, which also performed the
Star-Spangled Banner. The United States Marine Corps Color
Guard presented the Colors.
Several dignitaries attended the banquet, including members of Congress. Among the dignitaries were: Ambassador
of Greece to the U.S. Christos Panagopoulos and Ambassador
of Cyprus to the U.S. George Chacalli, both of who offered
greetings; U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), ranking member, Committee on the Budget; U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL);
U.S. Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL); former U.S. Rep. Zack Space; and
George A. Kalogridis, president, Walt Disney World Resort.
From left to right: Ambassador Kaskarelis accepts the AHEPA Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award on behalf of the Stavros Niarchos
Foundation; Ambassador Kounalakis receives the DOP Civic Responsibility Award; and Master of Ceremonies Congresswoman Titus.
www.ahepa.org
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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13
AHEPA Family Leadership Concludes
Successful Overseas Mission
DELEGATION MEETS WITH GREEK PM TSIPRAS,
CYPRIOT PRESIDENT ANASTASIADES,
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BASIL MOSSAIDIS
T
he AHEPA family concluded the 87th annual
overseas excursion to Greece, Cyprus, and
the Ecumenical Patriarchate, May 6 to 16,
2015. Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos,
Daughters of Penelope Grand President Anna-Helene
Grossomanides, and Maids of Athena Grand President
Deanna Socaris led the delegation.
Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, $10K Donated
AHEPA donated $10,000 for the Ecumenical Patriarchate
during an audience with His All Holiness Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew I, May 7.
“We are deeply grateful to Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew for the generous amount of time he afforded
to our delegation,” Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos
said. “AHEPA remains steadfast in its support for religious
freedom and human rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
and all religious minorities in Turkey. We will not cease
our efforts until these fundamental rights are in place and
the Ecumenical Patriarchate is allowed to flourish.”
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
Top: The delegation with His All
Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew.
Middle: Supreme President
Frangos receives a donation
from Hellas District 25 Governor
Plokamakis to the rebuild Saint
Nicholas campaign.
Bottom: The delegation with
members of Chapter HJ-3,
Thessaloniki.
www.ahepa.org
Top: The delegation surveys repair work being done to Apostolos
Andreas Monastery.
Right Middle: Supreme President Frangos meets with Cypriot Foreign
Minister Kasoulides.
At Right: The delegation with Cypriot President Anastasiades.
Hellas District 25 Donates to St. Nicholas Campaign
The delegation participated at Hellas District 25’s Convention
in Komotini, May 8 and 9. There, District 25 Governor George
Plokamakis presented Supreme President Frangos with a
$2,600 donation toward the AHEPA campaign to help rebuild
Saint Nicholas National Shrine at World Trade Center. The
district intends to fulfill the balance of its $5,000 pledge at the
Supreme Convention in July.
In addition, the delegation visited the AHEPA Hospital in
Thessalonki to meet with hospital administration officials on
May 10. Later in the day, the group met with Chapter HJ-3,
Thessaloniki.
Apostolos Andreas Monastery, Meeting with President
Highlight Cyprus Visit
In Cyprus, meetings were held May 11 with: U.S. Ambassador
to the Republic of Cyprus John Koenig, President of the
Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, and Foreign Minister
of the Republic of Cyprus Ioannis Kasoulides.
“We appreciated the opportunity to meet with all of these
high-ranking officials in Cyprus to discuss important matters
pertaining to developments in the eastern Mediterranean
www.ahepa.org
as well as relations between the United States and Cyprus,”
Frangos said. “We welcome the resumption of settlement talks
and hope for progress toward a just and viable solution to be
achieved by Cypriots for the benefit of all Cypriots.”
In addition, the delegation visited Apostolos Andreas
Monastery, which is located in the Karpasia Peninsula, on May
12. The AHEPA family leaders met with representatives from
the UN Development Programme Technical Committee on
Cultural Heritage who are working on the restoration project.
“We were quite pleased with the progress that has been
made to restore the historic Apostolos Andreas monastery,”
Supreme President Frangos said. “The monastery’s disrepair
has been a concern that we have raised every year on our mission to Cyprus. The bi-communal effort, under the lead of the
Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and implemented
by the Programme’s Partnership for the Future, is to be lauded.
They are doing very important work in Cyprus, and AHEPA
will continue to lend its support to this worthy restoration
project.”
The supreme president added his gratitude to the U.S.
Embassy in Nicosia, especially Elizabeth Kassinis, senior
program advisor, U.S. Agency for International Development
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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Top Right: The delegation shares a moment with
Prime Minister of Greece Tsipras. (L-R): DOP
Executive Director Saviolakis, Supreme Vice President
Galanis, Executive Director Mossaidis, DOP Grand
President Grossomanides, Prime Minister Tsipras,
Supreme President Frangos, and Chairman of the
Board Karacostas, PSP.
Bottom Right: The delegation visits the AHEPAdonated George C. Marshall Statue on the grounds of
the U.S. Embassy in Athens.
Bottom: Supreme President Frangos speaks about
Constantino Brumidi at a conference about the “Artist
of the U.S. Capitol” held in Athens.
(USAID), for their assistance to help facilitate the visit to
Apostolos Andreas. USAID is one of the financial contributors
to the project. AHEPA first visited Apostolos Andreas on a historic goodwill mission in May 2001.
Also on May 12, the delegation met with Minister of Finance
of the Republic of Cyprus Harris Georgiades.
Athens: Meetings Held with Prime Minister Tsipras,
President Pavlopoulos
The Leadership Mission concluded in Athens, May 13 to 16,
and included meetings with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras,
President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos,
President of Hellenic Parliament Zoe Konstantopoulou,
Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic Nikos Kotzias,
and Alternate Minister of Tourism Elena Kountoura. In
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
addition, the group met with Webster University President
Dr. Vasilis Botopoulos and separately with Ambassador
Vassilis Kaskarelis, senior advisor to the Board of Directors
and member of the Executive Management Team of the
Stavros Niarchos Foundation; to discuss AHEPA’s Journey to
Greece Program, May 14. The next day, the delegation met
with Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Suzanne Lawrence from
the U.S. Embassy in Athens. At the embassy, the delegation
took a moment to visit the George C. Marshall Statue, which
was donated by AHEPA through the AHEPA Centennial
Foundation, in October 2000.
“We have been extremely well-received in Athens,”
Supreme President Frangos said. “Our meetings were productive and informative, touching on a range of important issues.
We look forward to continuing our work together to further
www.ahepa.org
Top Left: The delegation visited the AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki.
The delegation met with several high-level Greek government officials, including (clockwise, l-r): Alternate Tourism Minister Kountoura,
Foreign Minister Kotzias, President Pavlopoulos, and President of
Hellenic Parliament Konstantopoulou.
enhance and strengthen relations between the United States
and Greece.”
He added, “We discussed the multitude of programs we
have either launched, or helped to support in cooperation with
other charitable organizations, to address Greece’s humanitarian crisis. We also provided officials with updates on where we
stand with our study abroad educational programs. We look
forward to continuing to our work to help the people of Greece
and to strengthen the bridge of cooperation between the United
States and Greece.”
The leg in Athens began the evening of May 13 when the
group attended a lecture on Constantino Brumidi (the “Artist of
the U.S. Capitol”) held at the old parliament building – National
Historical Museum. In 2007-08, AHEPA, working in cooperation with the Italian American community, helped to pass
legislation that awarded Brumidi, who had a Greek father and
Italian mother, the Congressional Gold Medal.
www.ahepa.org
Supreme President Commends Delegation
In addition to Supreme President Frangos, who was joined
by his wife, Tula, Grand President Grossomanides, and MOA
Grand President Socaris, the following AHEPA family leaders
participated on the Leadership Mission: Chairman of the
Board Nicholas A. Karacostas, PSP; Supreme Vice President
John Galanis, Supreme Governors Phil Vogis, Frank Fotis,
and Nick Papadopoulos; Past Canadian President Anthony
Mavromaras, District 13 Secretary Themistocles Frangos,
Executive Director Basil Mossaidis and DOP Executive
Director Elena Saviolakis.
“I commend the members of the delegation for taking the
volunteer time out of their professional and personal schedules to participate on this important excursion,” Supreme
President Frangos said. “I appreciated their support and their
participation helped to make this excursion a tremendous
success.”
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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17
EDUCATION
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
www.ahepa.org
PERICLEAN
SOP Finishes Year on a High Note
Sons of Pericles Supreme President Jimmy Googas
The Sons of Pericles has been working to attend as many District Conventions as
possible over the springtime. Although Supreme Lodge officers have been traveling
the entire year, we are going to reach more than half of the district conventions this
year with the help of the districts. We look forward to meeting AHEPA family members who have been active in the Junior Orders and having
dialogue about ideas.
The Sons of Pericles held its annual Greeks in NYC
basketball tournament the first weekend in June in which
we had the most teams in the past three years. Although
a majority of the teams were from the Northeast, we were
able to bring in a team from Los Angeles to join in the tournament and the festivities. With the great turnout, we not
only expanded our reach to other parts of New York City,
Jimmy Googas
but also strengthened the great relationship that is shared
between all of the areas in the Northeast. Supreme Athletic Director Panagiotis
Tsevdos did a fantastic job coordinating, handling issues, and making the entire
weekend happen.
As an update from the last issue, we have finally realized the full potential of
what San Francisco has to offer as hosts to our National Convention in July. The
Sons, along with the Maids of Athena, have planned fun events for our attendees to
the conference and for the entire AHEPA family, including a “Family Feud” event.
SOP Membership Update
Sons of Pericles membership growth, under the leadership of Supreme Vice
President and Membership Chairman Andreas Christou, and the Supreme Lodge, has
continued to grow the Order in recent months.
Since the last issue of The Ahepan, three more Sons chapter reactivations have
occurred (see Chapter News Section). On March 21, 2015, Supreme Vice President
Christou traveled to Philadelphia to initiate a group at Drexel University into
Atlas Chapter 10, in conjunction with the National Hellenic Students Association
Conference and the Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade. On March 22,
AHEPA District 20 Governor Wynn Storton reactivated the Olympian Chapter 82,
Los Angeles. The chapter formed following the members’ introduction to the Sons of
Pericles at the Annual Greeks in LA Tournament. Finally, on April 5, the Sam Houston
Chapter 89 was reactivated with a vibrant and eager group of brothers thanks to the
efforts of AHEPA Chapter 29.
Since the 2014 New Orleans Convention, the Supreme Lodge has reactivated 10
chapters and hopes to continue to expand the Junior Order. There is potential for
chapters in Brooklyn, N.Y.; San Jose, Calif., and Lowell, Mass., amongst others, now
leaving only Districts 9, 10, 22, and 26 without active Sons of Pericles chapters. The
Supreme Lodge looks forward to working with AHEPA family chapters and the district lodges to continue strengthening SOP membership and expansion. Our aim is to
have at least one active chapter in each district.
www.ahepa.org
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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19
VETERANS
AHEPA Remembers: Arlington National Cemetery Visit
On Saturday, May 23, 2015, AHEPA
family members from the metro-Washington, DC area gathered to memorialize those identified as Greek
Americans or Greek Orthodox who are
buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
According to organizers, there are
roughly 660 grave sites at which
AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope
members presented a laurel wreath
and paused in remembrance of those
who perished for our nation. Members
from AHEPA Chapter 31, Washington,
DC, Col. Peter N. Derzis Chapter 438,
Arlington, Va., and Molon Lave Chapter
542, Dulles, Va., participated. This ceremony has been performed annually
since 1949.
“I commend the AHEPA family of
the Metro Washington DC area for its
carefully detailed effort to properly
honor and remember the memory of
those brave souls of our community
who sacrificed so much for freedom,”
Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos
said.
In June, Supreme President Phillip
T. Frangos laid a wreath at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier. Since 1924
Ahepans have returned annually to
Arlington to lay a wreath at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of
a grateful American Hellenic community.
Top Two Rows: AHEPA family members
memorialize and pay their respects to
those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Bottom Two Rows: Groups from Chapter
31, Washington (top) and Molon Lave
Chapter 542, Dulles, Va., were among the
volunteers who participated.
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
www.ahepa.org
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY
AHEPA Family Holds Successful Capitol Hill Day
The AHEPA family brought its legislative agenda to the attention of Capitol
Hill legislators and their staffs on April
29, 2015 during its annual Capitol Hill
Day. Capitol Hill Day has become an
annual event since 2006.
“Our mission, strongly founded on
our cultural heritage and our community service programs, guides our
legislative agenda,” Supreme President
Phillip T. Frangos said. “As such, we
have a diverse set of legislative interests, both foreign and domestic, that
reflect our mission. We believe this
makes the AHEPA family unique in its
approach to Congress.”
AHEPA family members representing 20 states and the District of Columbia
registered for the event. It was the most
diverse geographic representation to
Grand President Grossomanides,
Congresswoman Maloney, Congressman
Bilirakis, and Supreme President Frangos at
the morning kick-off reception.
Congresswoman Maloney speaks to Capitol Hill Day participants.
date for the Capitol Hill Day.
He added, “We had representation
stretching from California, New Mexico,
and Wyoming to Florida and Georgia,
and states in between. We sincerely
thank all our volunteer members who
unselfishly took the time out of their
busy schedules to fulfill their civic
responsibility.”
According to Frangos, AHEPA family members who participated at the
organization’s annual Capitol Hill Day
discussed issues that included: U.S. Greece relations, religious freedom for
the Ecumenical Patriarchate, ending the
40-year illegal division of Cyprus and
safeguarding Cyprus’ sovereign right to
explore and exploit energy finds within
its exclusive economic zone. Domestic
programs of interest to the AHEPA
family include affordable housing for the
elderly, medical research at NIH, and
domestic violence. In addition, the participants’ objective was to help grow the
Hellenic Caucus and other congressional
caucuses of interest.
One success story is that U.S.
Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL) joined the
Congressional Hellenic-Israeli Alliance
thanks to the grassroots efforts of
AHEPA family leaders from her congressional district who visited her office.
The day’s events included a morning reception where the AHEPA family received remarks from U.S. Reps.
Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), co-chair of the
Hellenic Caucus and Congressional
Hellenic-Israel Alliance; U.S. Rep.
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), co-founder
and co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus.
Florida AHEPA Family Holds
Successful Legislative Day
The District 2 AHEPA Family held its first State Capitol Hill
Day in Tallahassee, March 27. House Majority Leader Dana
Young welcomed the AHEPA family and recognized the
group from the House Floor. Following the morning reception, AHEPA framily members walked the Halls of the State
Capitol and met with their state legislators.
www.ahepa.org
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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21
ST. NICHOLAS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Thank You, Donors
AHEPA Babylon Chapter 416,
Babylon, N.Y.
AHEPA Chapter 68, Wheeling, W.V.
Anestis L. Logothetis
AHEPA Chapter 7, Memphis, Tenn.
Anonymous
AHEPA Beaver Valley Chapter 400,
Ambridge, Pa.
AHEPA Coney Island Chapter 200,
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Anonymous
AHEPA Calumet Chapter 157
AHEPA Hoosier District 12
AHEPA Cape Fear Chapter 408,
Wilmington, N.C.
Basil Mossaidis
AHEPA Silver District 17
DCGreeks.com
AHEPA Hellas District 25
Demetrios Elias Mourtakos
AHEPA Garden City Chapter 251,
San Jose, Calif.
DOP Grand Secretary Jan Spanos
AHEPA Chapter 144, Lorain, Ohio
AHEPA Land of the Sky Chapter 28,
Asheville, N.C.
Dr. Takey Crist
AHEPA Chapter 153, Sacramento,
Calif.
AHEPA Marathon Chapter 2
Foundation, Charlotte, N.C.
George Fokakis
AHEPA Chapter 154, Portland, Ore.
AHEPA Chapter 246, Modesto, Calif.
George Mortis
AHEPA Chapter 158, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
AHEPA Red Rose Chapter 71,
Lancaster, Pa.
Harry Psaltis
AHEPA Saginaw Valley Chapter 216,
Saginaw, Mich.
John Grossomanides, PSP
AHEPA Chapter 123, Hammond, Ind.
AHEPA Chapter 60, Allentown, Pa.
AHEPA Chapter 140, Albany, N.Y.
AHEPA Chapter 171, Oakland, Calif.
AHEPA Chapter 195, Ann Arbor, Mich.
AHEPA Chapter 20, Dallas, Texas
AHEPA West Suburban Chapter 202,
Chicago
AHEPA Pericles Chapter 270, St. Paul,
Minn.
AHEPA Peach Bowl Chapter 228,
Marysville, Calif.
Dr. and Mrs. Gregory G. Papadeas
George M. Pontikos
John Caloyeras Anargyros
John Mesogitis
Lou E. Tsipis
Loucas Law
AHEPA Sunflower Chapter 372,
Overland Park, Kan.
Michael P. Psillos
AHEPA Chapter 484, Coatesville, Pa.
AHEPA Shoreline Chapter 380,
Chicago
Nicholas A . Karacostas, PSP
AHEPA Chapter 518, Friendswood,
Texas
AHEPA South Bay Chapter 426,
Redondo Beach, Calif.
Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos
AHEPA Nathan Hale Chapter 58,
Hartford, Conn.
AHEPA Steve Kolidakis Chapter 155,
Hopewell, Va.
S. J. Macris, PSP
AHEPA Chapter 61, Reading, Pa.
AHEPA V.I. Chebithes Chapter 391,
Lincoln Park, Mich.
More to Come Next Issue!
AHEPA Chapter 35, Nashua, N.H.
22
AHEPA Chapter 223, San Diego, Calif.
Athanasios Sarantopoulos
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
Nikolaos V. Lazaridis
Peter Baltis
www.ahepa.org
HOUSING
ANHC Directors Hold Annual Meeting
George Anagnostos, PSS
The ANHC Executive Committee
opened its work by hearing from
President Arthur Poly, AHEPA
Management Co. (AMC), who reviewed
the operations of the company since its
third quarterly teleconference meeting
in February. His report will be amplified and covered in the full directors
meetings to come. The board offered
its comments and asked questions of
the president.
Items brought up under Old
Business included the rights of First
Refusal when and if the properties
of the corporation might be offered
for sale. This item has been worked
on and details are being ironed out.
A further ongoing item has been the
cash advances that have been made
to the various projects and ANHC
Management is in the process of cataloging such occurrences and charging
to proper activities in order to align
the books accordingly in the event of
future sale or disposal. Another longstanding item has been the repayment
of past MCI and loans to projects. This
is now nearing an end and this year’s
payment(s) should complete commitments. In addition, work on Uniform
Bylaws of the owner corporations and
the group exemption umbrella for the
charitable foundations continues and
nears completion.
Under New Business the committee was briefed on acquisition possibilities and the assisted living and the tax
credits being utilized. The AMC budget
for the coming year was received and
discussed.
A major item considered under
New Business was the Strategic
Planning Committee which under the
www.ahepa.org
persons and those filling in for absent
new rules of business availabilities and
members.
planning has become very important
Kostarides
also
introduced
and has assumed much discussion and
Daughters of Penelope Grand President
thought.
Anna-Helene Grossomanides who
During the interim until the annual
spoke to the attendees. In her remarks
directors meeting, the various standshe stated how happy she is to be
ing committee members met and prehere and see what we are all about.
pared their own committee’s reports.
She explained her association with the
The annual corporation directors
fraternity at Norwich, Conn. where a
meetings began early Friday as an
Daughters chapter was revived and
indication of the increasing complexity
what they are doing, especially in the
and accumulation of items that must be
elderly housing there.
covered in the new business environKostarides then presented his
ment faced by the members. Chairman
report citing the impact of the decline
of the Board Nick Stratas opened up
of the HUD 202 program on us and the
the meeting welcoming new members,
importance of the Strategic Planning
the new properties and the new ways
of business in the
new world of elderly
housing. President
Angelo Kostarides
began by asking for
a moment of silence
for those passing and
especially for the son
of Angela Magrames,
president of Penelope
60, Inc., and also
John
Magrames, The new officers of ANHC and the Executive Committee are (from
AHEPA 100, Inc. He left, front): N. Kallan, treasurer; Chair Nick Stratas; C. Karthan, secretary; A. Kostarides, president; and G. Nardone, v. pres.; Standing:
welcomed all and D. Kiriazides, J. Karthan, J. Miller, E.P. Mitchell, and S. Photiades.
introduced the new Absent from photo are C. Hollister and C. Mackenzie.
Officers and directors of ANHC and staff are shown with Grand President Anna-Helene
Grossomanides, seated, center.
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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23
HOUSING
we are engaged in now. He cited our
for-profit ventures and the types of
growth we seek and some we are now
seeing. He mentioned the work of the
executive committee and the status of
the South Carolina properties and the
impact of our sponsorship of those
properties. He cited the advances of
funds to various properties and the
need for tax credit development as
ultimately having an impact on our
balance sheet. He spotlighted items
such as local Board’s bylaws and charitable foundations as items that are
being moved along and will be in the
agenda for discussion.
ANHC Director of Development,
Demetri Damaskos presented the status of our New Orleans project which
still needs an extension of the reservation. He reported on the Indianapolis
housing board funding in the Assisted
Living Conversion Program/Service
Enriched Housing, our first, converting
24 units. He cited two that are undergoing refinancing, A232 Indianapolis and
A371, Harrison Township, Mich. We
have properties we hope to purchase
and have looked at others, but no additional acquisitions yet.
Todd Jensen, ANHC director of
acquisition and refinance, covered the
Affordable Assisted Living Facilities
(AALF). We have two properties in
mind and are close. There are opportunities in Ohio and New York State
and Chicago; however, they require
licenses and site control. It is a painstaking process but we are moving
ahead. AALF properties will be a blend
of mortgages and 4% or 9% tax credits.
Arthur Poly, AMC president, gave
the report citing the progress at South
Carolina and reconstruction there.
He cited the acquisition of the Fort
Wayne, Ind. for-profit property, which
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
we are managing through our forprofit Hellenic Management Co. We
also manage three non-AHEPA properties to date and have gained 38-Quality
Assurance contracts, some in new
states for us. He also spotlighted the
AALF program and that it is a financially sound concept with a good cash
flow. Many areas such as marketing,
PR, IT are being enhanced and available in-house or to outside parties.
Strategic Planning is an on-going process and is used to review progress
and adjust objectives. He closed, “We
are positioned for growth,” and we
continue to provide educational and
advancement opportunities for our
professional staff.
AMC Vice President, Stephani
Calderon presented her report on her
department and operations. She highlighted the training sessions for managers and maintenance personnel.
AMC Vice President, Linda Duncan
highlighted the Service Coordinator and
Quality Assurance programs. They are
also involved in the grant writing program and now with the SEH program
Chris Egan, AMC controller, spoke
to accounts receivable, the impact of
the Affordable Care Act, new acquisition of Brentwood, earning fees to
manage in order to support operations being capped by HUD. which is
impacting us, as are some state taxes.
George Nardone, chair of the
Finance Dept. reported that the Audit
Committee found all in order. He
reported a need to capture past due
fees five years or older, and all department expenses to be shared and available to the finance department.
The Budget Committee found all to
be straight forward. The IT Committee
found no concerns at this time.
The Strategic Planning Committee
stated that we must invigorate marketing and PR to expand our services.
We need to overcome losses in some
properties and get increases in rentals
or cut expenses. We are in the process
of developing AALF properties but will
need to partner with others to gain
experience in this new business, which
is projected to be solid fiscally but to
require significant upfront funding.
The Administrative Department was
chaired by George Anagnostos. The
Nominations Committee will conduct
election for three new members of the
Executive Committee with three-year
terms.
The Orientation Committee has
one new president to confer with, Ed
Mayorga, Wilmington, N.C. He is a
long-term Ahepan and the orientation
went well.
The Human Relations Committee
conferred with the staff person and
reported that programs and processes
to assist employees are currently effective and wide ranging. An updated
Communications Guide has been promulgated. A PR report was given and
the efforts of the last 3 issues were used
to show the range of articles offered.
All were thanked for their continued
support of The Ahepan magazine housing section, including Consultant Diane
Diamantis. Andrew Kaffes, editor and
Mercury Publications.
The Grants Committee reported on
this year’s grant program. Co-chairs
Steve Photiades and Nick Kallan went
over each of the applications received,
announced the total availability of
grant funds, the number of eligible
units and projects and then went
through each application as to what
was requested, what was suggested to
grant and showed the final totals. Then
in the discussion that followed, the
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HOUSING
amounts suggested and the applicants
were adjusted and the final amounts
were agreed to. The grants were categorized into AHEPA-related, outside
charities, and eligible projects grants.
The agenda continued into the Old
Business section. The status of the
South Carolina projects status was presented and each building’s planned
rehabilitation work was detailed.
Consultant Bob Dine will be the lead
on overseeing the reconstruction.
The list of the projects receiving
amounts of assistance from ANHC was
shown along with what used for were
listed and reviewed. Most were for
Project Advancement and others for
taxes, refinance expense, title survey,
etc. Some were undated and some
went back to 2005.
Another list detailed the advances
from ANHC and AMC and the total.
All this data has been due to or is
being currently researched and the
corporation and/or the management’s
books are to be brought to include
information to more accurately reflect
the condition of the entities. One effect
will be to be able to be reimbursed
for amounts due for recapture at any
eventual sale of assets.
Under the New Business category
was an Executive Committee report by
ANHC President Kostarides. He listed
the four meetings of the committee and
what was covered and any actions taken.
Of interest was the use of a telephone
conference meeting in February. The
importance of important areas where
charitable efforts are allowed by IRS was
given by distributing IRS Publication
4221-PC. The Owner Corp. was presented a list of actions for them to comply with and a list for the Presidents citing their functioning as an ANHC Board
member. Continuing in this vein, they
www.ahepa.org
were presented a copy of Bylaws specifically for their local corporation and
the importance of this. Pres. Kostarides
utilized his own Board as an example of
the importance of this document. It may
be revised to suit each individual state,
circumstance for the local corporation.
Also, the Board was given a list of new
Board members and they granted each
Board member’s approval.
The Strategic Plan was discussed
and approved for the next five-year
period. The Grants suggested by the
committee were approved and the
ANHC and AMC budgets for 2015-2016
were each approved (as corrected).
The election of officers for the coming term was conducted with Chairman
Nicholas Stratas (Mobile) and President
Angelo Kostarides (Indianapolis)
re-elected. George Nardone (Syracuse)
was elected as vice president, and
Secretary Christy Karthan (Ankeny,
Iowa) and Treasurer Nick Kallan
(Nashua, N.H.) were reelected.
In the election of three new members of the Executive Committee for
three-year terms elected were: E. P.
Terry Mitchell, Niantic, Conn.; Steve
Photiades, Daytona Beach, Fla.; and
Angela Magrames (second term),
Mishawaka, Ind. The vacancy created by election of George Nardone
as vice president would be addressed
by the new Executive Committee in
the future.
The 2015 annual meeting of ANHC
Board of Directors was adjourned.
AMC Executive Committee Conducts
Conference Call Meeting
The Executive Committee held its third quarterly meeting via conference call in
February. All members except for Brother Dennis Kiriazides were able to participate
as well as AHEPA Management Company staff.
AMC President/CEO Arthur Poly updated the committee on the status of the South
Carolina properties which are undergoing rehabilitation under the guidance of our
consultant Bob Dine. This endeavor has impacted our overall revenues. An additional
impact upon revenue results from HUD’s reduced management fees on some properties. Quality Control contracts and non-AHEPA property management have generated
income to help offset the impact on revenue.
President Poly stated that our consultant in Washington, Andrew Kaffes, has been
very effective in getting our AHEPA name well known in D.C. He assured all that our
properties are properly managed.
ANHC Director of Development Demetri Damaskos reported on the Louisiana
property status and the the Indianapolis project refinancing and its funding under
the ALCP/SEH program, which is new for the corporation. We have two proposed
acquisitions: two under development projects and three assisted living possible sites
in Ohio and Indiana.
The project at Toledo is possibly being put up for sale and the action that might
be taken will be presented at the annual meeting.
To conclude, Attorney Matt Carr reported on the Umbrella Charitable Foundation that
is being formed and the Bylaws are being finalized.
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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25
HOUSING
Gadoua is New Hire
as Syracuse’s Property
Manager
Jolene Gadoua is the new on-site Property Manager
for AHEPA 37 Apartments, Syracuse, N.Y. Gadoua’s
job responsibilities will include: to maintain the asset
by contracting services and managing staff; ensure HUD compliance;
maintain 100% occupancy, prepare
reports and handle tenancy, all part
of the various responsibilities of the
position of property manager.
Gadoua was formerly with
Jolene Gadoua
National Government Services, a
Medicare contractor, as a customer service representative, and as an assistant property manager for
Casual Estates and as property manager for American
Properties Team. She has eight years of experience in
the real estate management field. She holds her TRACS
202D certification, and EIV Income Discrepancy certification. She attended Kaplan University and is a
resident of Baldwinsville, N.Y.
AHEPA 37 Apartments is an affordable senior
apartment complex consisting of 50 one-bedroom
units for seniors ages 62 years of age or older.
Two AHEPA Apts. Receive
High HUD Inspection Marks
AHEPA 60 Apartments, Allentown, Pa., a 48-unit senior apartment
building, recently passed a REAC (Real Estate Assessment Center)
inspection in December 2014. The property scored a laudable 99 out
of 100. REAC is a HUD program which inspects and reports the condition of housing within the HUD portfolio.
The property also reported improvements in February including
new flat screen TVs in the community room, exercise room and sitting
area by the laundry room. New exercise equipment was installed,
which was donated by AHEPA Lehigh Chapter 60, Allentown.
The Property Manager is Donna Jones, who has been with the
property for four years. The building owner, AHEPA 60, Inc., is led by
Board President Charles Mackenzie. Brother Mackenzie is responsive
to the property’s needs and provides a quality environment for the
residents.
AHEPA 67-II Apartments, Cheektowaga, N.Y., has completed
repainting of all common area hallways, and installation of new flooring of common areas in its 50-unit senior apartments. The facility will
be 11 years old in July.
The Property Manager is Maureen Lewis who reports that AHEPA
67-II scored 99 out of 100 on a REAC (Real Estate Assessment Center)
inspection in December 2014.
AHEPA 67-II Apartments is owned by AHEPA 67-II, Inc. The property is co-sponsored by the local Flower City Chapter 67, Rochester,
N.Y., and the AHEPA National Housing Corporation.
ANHC Awards Five “Pioneer” Scholarships
In honor of AHEPA Housing Program’s pioneers and founders,
ANHC sponsors five scholarships for students who are dedicated to solving problems of the elderly.
This year these five were selected by the AHEPA
Emmalee Skorich
26
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
John Banas
Educational Foundation for the five $2,000 scholarships:
Emmalee Skorich, neuroscience and pre-med; John Banas,
business admin; Demitra Apergis, physical therapy; Stavros
Stefanopoulos, pre-med; and Aspasia Makris, nursing.
Demitra Apergis
Stavros Stefanopoulos
Aspasia Makris
www.ahepa.org
ATHLETICS
Leonsis Headlines 2015 AHEPA Hall of Fame Class
Gregory Stamos
The AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame
Committee has selected its 2015 Hall of Fame
Class, announced Supreme President Phillip
Frangos and Gregory J. Stamos, chairman, Hall
of Fame Selection Committee.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2015 inductees
are:
•
Theodore (“Ted”) Leonsis, Owner,
National Hockey League Washington
Capitals and the National Basketball
Association Washington Wizards;
•
Christina Loukas, College AllAmerican and U.S. Olympic Diver;
•
Bob Barnek, college Basketball Player;
and
•
Paul J. Kaliades, College Football and
Baseball Player.
“The 2015 Induction Class is comprised
of individuals who have reached the highest
levels of their respective areas of competition” Supreme President Frangos said. “They
have long been held in high esteem by the
Greek American community, and we look
forward to their induction this July in San
Francisco.”
The Hall of Fame Induction occurs at the
National Athletic Luncheon held at the 93rd
AHEPA Supreme Convention, July 3, 2015, San
Francisco.
Stamos added that each of the inductees
excelled not only on the playing fields or
within their industry, but also demonstrated
character and ideals that were integral to their
selection.
“Most significantly, they have also remained
committed to their Hellenic heritage and roots,
and accordingly, all Ahepans and the community eagerly anticipate their induction into the
Hall of Fame,” Stamos said.
The AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame was
established in 1974 and now includes more
than 135 inductees.
Theodore (“Ted”) Leonsis
Christina Loukas
Athletic Notes...
Dean Demopoulos, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., is in his tenth season as an assistant coach in
the NBA. Dean is currently an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers and has been an assistant
with numerous NBA teams, including the Portland Trailblazers and Seattle Supersonics. He
had a long tenure as assistant coach under the legendary John Chaney at Temple University…
Peter Lappas is following in his father Steve’s footsteps. Peter is an assistant coach at Fairleigh
Dickinson University… Rod Balanis, Williamsburg, Va., is now in his 15th season as an associate head coach at Notre Dame University. Rod
was a standout basketball player at Georgia Tech
University, and follows in the footsteps of his father,
George, who was the head coach at William & Mary College in 1970…Belle
Koclanes finished her second season as head coach of the Dartmouth University
Women’s Basketball Team…Jonathan Tsipis completed his second season as
head coach of The George Washington University Women’s Basketball Team,
which surpassed 20 wins and were ranked in the Top 25.
www.ahepa.org
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
|
27
AHEPA FAMILY CHAPTER NEWS
District 1
District 3
Mother Lodge Chapter 1, Atlanta, Ga.
Marathon Chapter 2, Charlotte, N.C.
The chapter hosted Orthodox Christian Missions Center (OCMC)
Assistant Missionary Director, Margo Toscas Kelley and Daughters
of Penelope Past Grand President Barbara Stavis Wolf for a special
evening highlighting
the works of OCMC
and a screening of the
DVD, “Greeks in New
Orleans: 150 Years
of Holy Trinity.” Ms.
Kelley gave an update
on the activities
OCMC is undertaking throughout many
countries in spreading the Orthodox faith. Ms. Wolf provided
some opening remarks on the rich history of the New Orleans
Greek community and the fact that it is the oldest Greek Orthodox
community founded in North America. Both presentations were
enthusiastically received by AHEPA family attendees.
The chapter held an
AHEPA Sunday luncheon
and announced the recipients of its 2015 scholarship program. Fifteen
students were awarded
scholarships that totaled
$15,500. William Gregory
Plumides, who will attend Fordham University in the fall,
received the top scholarship award. Also in April, the
brothers volunteered their time at Second Harvest Food
Bank. The members sorted medical supplies for distribution to North Carolina counties in need.
District 4
28
Chester County Chapter 484, Coatesville, Pa.
Chapter 277, Durham, N.C.
At its scholarship awards presentation dinner, the chapter
presented $4,000 to four well-qualified recipients. Ahepans
and relatives of the recipients attended the event. In addition to the awards presentations, Dr. George Spyropoulos
presented a very timely topic on Diabetes and its diagnosis, complications and management. Scholarship recipients
were: Adrienne D’Agostino, Alexandra Watts, Sarah Kathryn
Wanner, and Nicholas Spyropoulos.
For the third consecutive year, the chapter donated
text books for beginning and advanced Greek language
classes for the Greek School Program at St. Barbara’s
Greek Orthodox Church. The chapter, in conjunction with
Chapter 10, Raleigh, N.C., also hosted Supreme President
Phillip Frangos, Feb. 2, 2015. District 3 Governor Jim
Stasios accompanied him. During this evening, the
Supreme President presented AHEPA membership certificates to newly initiated members. At the end of 2014,
the chapter initiated five men.
|
THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
www.ahepa.org
AHEPA FAMILY CHAPTER NEWS
District 5
District 6
Perth Amboy Chapter 288, Raritan, N.J.
SOP Perseus Chapter 322, New
Rochelle, N.Y.
After 20 years of dormancy, the chapter was reactivated on March 1,
2015. Supreme President Phillip Frangos, Supreme Secretary Andy
Zachariades, and Supreme Governor Phil Vogis, along with several
District 5 officers and Greek American community dignitaries were
present for the reactivation. In addition, nine AHEPA chapters from
District 5 were represented.
Sons of Pericles Supreme Vice President Andreas
Christou and Supreme Secretary Nick Apostolou
hosted a meeting and workshop for the brothers. The
young Sons elected their officers for the 2015-2016
year, and the Supreme Lodge officers assisted them in
setting a chapter plan for the upcoming year. District
6 AHEPA Governor Tom Dushas also attended.
District 7
Nathan Hale Chapter 58, Hartford, Conn.
In March, the chapter hosted an initiation, welcoming the District Seven Lodge.
Joining Supreme Governor Frank Fotis were: District Governor Alex Boutsioulis,
District Secretary Gregory Simones, Past District Governor Jack Isaac, and Chapter
President John Melonopoulos. Two new Brothers, Tim Kontogouris and Michael
Haztzontantis, were initiated. Brothers George and Mike Bonatsakis prepared a lentil
dinner and DOP Chapter President Adele Antoniou prepared a special Greek salad.
The chapter’s Assurance Fund, which was created to benefit a deceased member’s
family, now provides a $2000 benefit.
www.ahepa.org
Chapter 98, New Haven,
Conn.
In cooperation with Yankee
District 7, the chapter hosted a
symposium on religious turmoil in
the Middle East at Yale University,
April 24, 2015. Titled, “Christianity
and Islam in the Middle East: From
a Common History to a Common
Present?,” the symposium’s aim
was to generate a thought-provoking discussion on the complicated
relationship between the two
faiths throughout history via a historical perspective. Yale Professors
Stephen Davis and Frank Griffel
participated on the panel. A Q&A
session followed their presentations.
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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29
AHEPA FAMILY CHAPTER NEWS
District 9
Chapter 35, Nashua, N.H.
Ahepans contributed to the success of the community’s
annual St. Philip Food Festival, prepping salads (the
Brothers are known as “The Salad Kings”) and manning
the gryo booth, May 15 and 16, 2015.
District 12
Chapter 78, Merillville/Gary, Ind.
At the recent Meals on Wheels Volunteer Appreciation
Banquet the chapter received acknowledgement for
reaching the fiveyear volunteer milestone. Brother Nick
Gianikos accepted
the Certificate of
Appreciation on behalf of the chapter and the team members who achieved the five-year goal were presented with a
gift. (Not pictured: Lynn Ann Coil, Sam and Maria Benjamin,
and Nick and Dianne Tournis.) The chapter also thanks its
newest volunteer team member, Brother Jeff Farver.
Chapter 123, Hammond, Ind.
District 10
AHEPA Chapter 195, Ann Arbor, Mich.
The community of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Ann
Arbor, the Greek School, and friends convened at the Statue
of Ypsilanti, in Ypsilanti, Mich., for the AHEPA-sponsored
commemoration of Greek Independence Day, March 22, 2015.
Supreme Governor Costas Boutsikakis and District 10 Governor
Craig A. Theros,
offered remarks.
Father Nick Kotsis
gave the blessing
and Brother Nick
Stamos
shared
his inspirational
words. On April 26,
the chapter had its
first biannual lamb
luncheon of the year, which was a successful sellout. The
chapter is proud of Brother Vasilis Pliakis, who marked the
one-year anniversary on March 30 for being ordained a Deacon
by Metropolitan Nicholas. The Chapter presented Vasilis with
a set of Liturgical Vestments from Greece to commemorate
the occasion. The chapter congratulates its newly-elected officers: President Costas Boutsikakis; Vice President Avraam
Piniatoglou; Secretary Christos Philippou; Treasurer Craig A.
Theros; and Warden George Papandreou.
30
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
The chapter celebrated AHEPA Sunday by hosting a pancake breakfast at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church,
Hammond. More than $1,000 was raised for the campaign
to help rebuild Saint Nicholas National Shrine at World
Trade Center. Special thanks to DOP Chapter 50, Hammond,
for helping to serve the food. MOA Grand President Deanna
Socaris was also a special guest who was on-hand for the
event.
James Whitcomb Riley Chapter 232,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Brother Jimmy Dimitroff received the Silver Medal Award
from the Indiana Officials Association. He is credited for
officiating more than 7,000 games, which is believed to be a
state record. During his officiating career, Brother Dimitroff
was selected to work 97 IHSAA Tournaments, including five
state finals. He is called by many in the media a “legend” in
Indiana high school basketball officiating.
www.ahepa.org
AHEPA FAMILY CHAPTER NEWS
District 13
Blue Ribbon District 13
The district hosted its 53rd annual scholarship dinner,
May 6, 2015, Elmhurst, Ill. Twenty-two high school
scholarships and six undergraduate scholarships
totaling $26,000 were awarded. District 13 congratulates all the students and their parents for their
remarkable achievements. For 53 years, District 13
has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarship
awards to more than 1,200 high school, college, and
seminary students. Professor Christos G. Takoudis,
University of Illinois at Chicago, keynoted the dinner.
In addition, Supreme Governor Nick Kavadas gave
brief remarks about AHEPA programs and the importance of giving back to the community. District 13 is grateful to Brother George
Stratton, president, 13th District Scholarship Foundation, for his leadership of the foundation; to the independent evaluation committee, and to Caroline Panagopoulos, event photographer.
Chapter 43, Milwaukee, Wisc.
The chapter held its 56th annual scholarship awards luncheon,
May 3, 2015. More than 175 were on-hand to celebrate the
achievements of more than a dozen high school students and
to lend support to the community’s only seminary student.
Brother U.S. Army Col. John Scocos (ret.), who is the secretary
of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, was the
keynote speaker. The chapter awards $25,000 annually in
scholarships.
Chapter 205, Chicago
A dozen Brothers volunteered their time and talent to cook dinner
for 60 families at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s
Hospital, April 27, 2015. It is largest of five Ronald McDonald Houses
in the Chicagoland area. The House supports the needs of families
whose children are receiving treatment at Ann & Robert H. Lurie
Children’s Hospital of Chicago and the Rehabilitation Institute of
Chicago. Here they offer families of hospitalized children 15-stories
of care & comfort including 66 guest rooms, a rooftop healing garden,
and a kitchen filled with home-cooked meals and supportive conversation. The chapter thanks Philly Best on Belmont for donating the
cheesesteaks, Brother Spiro who brought in the Tiropitas donated
by a member of Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, and Brother
Sym who brought in the delicious brownies made by his mother. In
addition, Supreme Governor Nick Kavadas and his parents, John and
Anastasia, came from Indiana to help cook, serve, and clean.
www.ahepa.org
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN
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31
AHEPA FAMILY CHAPTER NEWS
District 16
Alexander the Great Chapter 29, Houston
SOP Sam Houston Chapter 89, Houston
Thirteen recipients each received a $1,000 grant from the
chapter’s charitable foundation for 2014. Grantees included:
Boys & Girls Harbor, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston,
Zina Garrison Academy, Hellenic Cultural Center of the SW,
AHEPA 29 Educational Foundation, Emergency Aid Coalition,
Lawndale Art Center, Trinity Shelter/Youth Services, Fisher
House, Penelope House, Hellenic College, International Orthodox
Christian Charities, and Orthodox Christian Mission Center.
The chapter was reactivated under the leadership of
AHEPA Chapter 29, Houston, April 5, 2015. The chapter
elected Junior Brother Dean Kaitson as chapter president.
Sam Houston Chapter becomes the second active Sons
chapter in the district.
Chapter 518, Webster, Texas
District 17
The chapter hosted its Greek Independence Day luncheon in March. A portion of the proceeds from the event
will benefit the campaign to help rebuild Saint Nicholas
National Shrine at World Trade Center.
Chapter 184, Ogden, Utah
The chapter mourns the passing of Brother Rev. Deacon
Peter Alex. He passed away May 1, 2015. Brother Alex
served active duty in the U.S. Navy during World War II,
joined the 362nd Field Artillery Battalion during the Korean
War and stayed in the Army Reserve for 30 years. He later
worked at Hill Air Force Base as a civil servant thus serving
three branches of the military. Brother Alex was ordained a
Deacon in the Greek Orthodox Church at the age of 58. May
his memory be eternal.
32
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THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
Shop AHEPA Today!
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and click “Shop Ahepa”
www.ahepa.org
AHEPA FAMILY CHAPTER NEWS
District 20
SOP Olympian Chapter 82,
Los Angeles
The chapter was reactivated on March 22, 2015.
AHEPA District 20 Governor Wynn Storton
and AHEPA Hesperia Chapter 152 President
Brent Noyes, officiated over the reactivation
which occurred at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox
Cathedral, Los Angeles. The chapter elected
John Stokes as president. SOP Supreme Vice
President and District 20 Liaison Andreas
Christou welcomed the new brothers.
Coachella Valley Chapter 528,
Palm Desert, Calif.
The chapter celebrated AHEPA Sunday by
presenting $3,250 in scholarship awards.
Afterwards, the chapter held a brunch with all
proceeds going toward the campaign to help
rebuild Saint Nicholas National Shrine at World
Trade Center. The chapter presented District 20
Governor Wynn Storton with a $1,025 donation
toward the drive.
District 28
Chapter 603, Sophia, Bulgaria
The chapter celebrated AHEPA Sunday by
visiting an area orphanage. The Brothers
donated food, clothing and toys for the
children.
www.ahepa.org
Summer 2015 · THE AHEPAN | 33
IN MEMORIAM
AHEPA Mourns Passing of
PSVP Gus Stefanadis
AHEPA Mourns Passing of
PST Thomas Chase
The AHEPA family mourns the passing of Past Supreme Vice
President Gus D. Stefanadis, Clearwater, Fla., March 19, 2015.
He was 83.
“Brother Stefanadis was a pillar of the Greek American
community who was truly dedicated to the Order and its
mission,” Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos said. “He will
be missed by us all and our deepest
sympathies are with his family. May
his memory be eternal.”
In addition to serving as supreme
vice president, Brother Stefanadis
served several offices at the chapter,
district, and national levels. Raised in
Wilmington, N.C., he graduated from
UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA degree
in education. Gus was passionate about his Greek Orthodox
faith and Hellenic heritage. He was a founding member of
the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wycoff, N.J.,
and a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church,
Clearwater. He was an active member of the Pan-Icarian
Brotherhood of America. He served in multiple offices and as
the International President for two years. He also served as the
Pan-Icarian Foundation Chairman for five years.
His wife, Sonja, is a Past Grand President of the Daughters
of Penelope.
AHEPA mourns the passing of Past Supreme Treasurer
Thomas Chase, who died March 7, 2015. He was 88. In addition to serving as Supreme Treasurer, Brother Chase chaired
the AHEPA Charitable Foundation and the Cyprus & Hellenic
Affairs Committee in addition to several offices at the chapter
and district levels.
“Brother Chase was dedicated to the Order and its ideals,
and he served the organization unselfishly in a multitude of
offices,” Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos said. “Brother
Chase’s talents and contributions to the American Hellenic
community, and to the community at-large, will be greatly
missed. May his memory be eternal.” Brother Chase was an
AHEPA Life Member of Chapter 139, Columbus, Ohio.
Brother Chase served in the U.S. Army during World War
II and afterwards earned his B. S. degree in Metallurgical
Engineering from The Ohio State University. He also started
the Thomas L. Chase Scholarship in metallurgical engineering
at OSU through the President’s Club; served on the advisory
committee organized to assist in starting the Modern Greek
Studies Program now within the Department of the Classics
at OSU, and is a major financial donor for the statue of
Hippocrates located in front of Meiling Hall on campus.
Brother Chase was a lifetime member of Annunciation
Greek Orthodox Cathedral where he served six years as Parish
Council President. He was inducted into the Order of St.
Andrew the Apostle, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
of Constantinople.
His wife of 67 years, Josie, is a Past Grand President of the
Daughters of Penelope.
Submit Your
Chapter News.
34 | THE AHEPAN · Summer 2015
Next Deadline:
August 7
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