AHEPA’s Milk for Flint Campaign Exceeds 17,000 Gallons Distributed

The AHEPA family of Michigan completed its tenth “Milk for Flint” giveaway, May 10, 2022. To date, it has raised more than $37,000 and has distributed over 17,000 gallons of milk through the “Milk for Flint” program.

Flint residents who received the milk lined up for over two hours and they were very thankful for what they received. In total, 147 cars lined up, along with 46 walk-ups, representing 789 people served. The milk that remained, after the line subsided, went to “My Brother’s Keeper”, “Carriage Town Ministries”, “Whaley Children’s Center”, “Greater Holy Temple” and “North End Soup Kitchen,” all of Flint.

Nothing was wasted, according to Chairman Craig Theros, PSG.

The committee thanks Flint’s Catholic Charities, led by Mary Stevenson, and Kim Green, manager, Kroger store 404, as well as several AHEPA family volunteers and donors who made the milk drive possible.

Three local television stations covered the event.

The next milk giveaway is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2022.

“Our next giveaway will be our eleventh truck load of milk for the unfortunate residents of Flint,” Theros said. “Over recent years, the residents have had to endure the Flint Water Crisis, high unemployment due to General Motors moving their operations to other parts of the country, and an extremely high number of COVID victims. The need for AHEPA’s help has not gone away. Flint may not be in the national headlines as it used to be, but the need is still real.”

In July 2021, AHEPA earned special recognition from the City of Flint for its Milk for Flint service campaign.

Greek Independence Celebrations in the Windy City

Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas and Daughters of Penelope Grand President Kathy Bizoukas participated at the Greek Independence Day parade in Chicago’s Greektown, May 22, 2022.

AHEPA family members representing Illinois and Indiana chapters proudly were parade float participants. 

“We commend the Federation of Hellenic -American Organizations (ENOSIS) for organizing a successful parade and sincerely thank the organizers for recognizing AHEPA’s one-hundred-year anniversary and service to the community,” Kokotas said. “They did an excellent job.”

Special shoutout to the junior brothers of the newly reactivated Northwest Indiana Sophocles Sons of Pericles Chapter 53, accompanied by Sons of Pericles Supreme Governor Basili Ronstadt, for being flag bearers.

AHEPA Family Honors American’s Fallen Heroes

First performed nearly a century ago, AHEPA continued a proud, time-honored annual tradition when it paid its respects on behalf a grateful American Hellenic community to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, democracy, and liberty at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, May 18, 2022.

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Upper Darby Team Wins Mid-Atlantic Hellenic History Tourney

Congratulations to Team Titans, of Upper Darby, Pa., on winning the Mid-Atlantic Hellenic History Tournament!

AHEPA Thermopylae Chapter 445 sponsored the team, comprised of siblings Yianni, Niko, and Liani Krontiris. They are the children of Chapter 445 President Dimitri Krontiris.

The Garden State team representing Holmdel, N.J., placed second. Teams participated from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. 

Camden, N.J. Chapter 69 hosted the event at the Daniele Kousoulis Cultural Center in Cherry Hill, N.J., May 14, 2022.

DOP Executive Director Saviolakis Featured in TNH’s Takeover

Congratulations to Daughters of Penelope Executive Director Elena Saviolakis, who was featured in The National Herald’s “Takeover” article published in collaboration with The Hellenic Initiative. The Takeover profiles emerging leaders in the community.

The article appeared in the May 15, 2022, edition of The National Herald.

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A Special Birthday Shout Out

Congratulations to Brother Pete Mitchell, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday!

Brother Pete is a dedicated member of Zeus Chapter 88, Warren, Ohio. He is pictured (seated center) celebrating with (l-r): Brother Steve Mitchell, Past Chapter President Eugene Callow, and Past District 11 Governor George Callow.

We wish Brother Pete all the best! Xronia Polla!

Appeal for Ukraine Humanitarian Aid

Since opening the Emergency Relief Fund to collect donations for Ukrainian aid, AHEPA Global Headquarters is proud to report that our chapters continue to answer the call, and we encourage all chapters to keep raising funds for this worthy cause.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend their country from a brutal, devastating, and unprovoked invasion by Russia. We hail the Ukrainians’ defense of democracy and freedom.

The humanitarian ruin and loss of life has been catastrophic.

Five million refugees have fled Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion. These are staggering numbers not seen since World War II.

The Order of AHEPA stands in solidary with Ukrainian refugees and families.

The AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund is open to receive donations for humanitarian aid to assist the people affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

read our appeal

Supreme Convention Pre-Registration Form Updated

The 2022 Supreme Convention pre-registration form is available from AHEPA Global Headquarters.

Please note that in order to register as a Delegate or Alternate, your chapter must report you as one.

If you have not been reported as a Delegate or Alternate, you will be charged the guest price, so please coordinate with your chapters early.

AHEPA 100th Anniversary Virtual 5K

Celebrate AHEPA’s centennial anniversary by participating in a Virtual 5K!

This race is ideal for walkers or runners! Safely complete the challenge your way and at your pace. Even on a treadmill.

And you decide when and where anytime until June 15, 2022.

Participate in this event as an individual, a small group, or as a chapter and earn an AHEPA 5K Medal featuring all four AHEPA Family Orders (pictured).

Proceeds go to the AHEPA 501(c)3 Foundation.

more info

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

28 | Metro Washington, D.C. Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery

June

5 | Greek Independence Day Parade, New York City

10| Greeks in New York | Become a Sponsor!

23 – 26 | AHEPA Centennial Celebration, Atlanta

July

1 | Deadline: AHEPA Centennial Supreme Convention pre-registration

In honor of our dear departed Ahepan and friend, Chris Tomaras, AHEPA is proud to support the efforts of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation in fulfilling Chris’ dream by promoting The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation 2022 Awards Ceremony & Gala. The event is less than a month away! Join the Foundation at the Hilton Chicago, June 18, as it awards over $250,000 in scholarships to 40 exceptional students.  Buy tickets and book your room now! Visit panhellenicsf.org for more information!

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

Erdogan blanks Greek prime minister over US remarks

BBC News (May 24)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he no longer recognises the leader of neighbouring Greece and will refuse to meet him at a planned summit. read more

A Call to Save Democracy

Boston College (May 24)

Speaking at Boston College’s 146th Commencement Exercises on May 23, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave members of the Class of 2022 an urgent assignment for their post-BC lives: Save democracy from the perils of nationalism, populism, and a pervasive technology that seems to cause as many problems as it has solved. read more

Greece rebuts British Museum claim Parthenon marbles were ‘removed from rubble’

The Guardian (May 23)

The dispute over the Parthenon sculptures has deepened after Greece rejected a claim by the British Museum that much of the statuary, removed at the behest of Lord Elgin, was retrieved “in the rubble” around the monument. read more

Vangelis, Composer Best Known for ‘Chariots of Fire,’ Dies at 79

New York Times (May 20)

Vangelis, the Greek film composer and synthesizer virtuoso whose soaring music for “Chariots of Fire,” the 1981 movie about two British runners in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, won the Academy Award for best original score, died on Tuesday in Paris. He was 79. read more

Tourism minister says island aiming for two million visitors this year

Cyprus Mail (May 24)

The goal for Cyprus is to see over two million foreign visitors until the end of the year, Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios said on Tuesday. read more

Delta partnership with Greek airline expands options beyond Athens

Travel Weekly (May 23)

Delta has entered into an interline partnership with Sky Express, enabling Delta passengers to seamlessly connect from Athens to 34 destinations in Greece and Cyprus. read more