AHEPA FAMILY CONTRIBUTES $50,000 TO 9/11 ANNIVESARY FUND; DONATION MADE TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG

NEW YORK-An audience of 1,000 people from around the globe were in attendance to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the largest and oldest association of Americans of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, at the gala affair of it annual Supreme Convention, the Grand Banquet, on Friday, July 19, 2002.

The highlight of evening was a presentation of $50,000 made on behalf of the AHEPA family and the entire Hellenic community to New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.  The donation was made to the September 11th Anniversary Fund, an entity to assist the families of the victims partake in the one-year anniversary of the tragic events.

Mayor Bloomberg thanked the AHEPA family on behalf of the City of New York and added that the AHEPA family did three important things by coming to New York for its annual meeting.

"You are reaffirming the deep historical connection between this city and people of Greek origin; you are helping to revitalize New York's economy; and you are demonstrating unwavering commitment to democracy and freedom," said the mayor.

American Ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller was the Keynote Speaker for the event and applauded AHEPA for moving its convention to New York City.   In his first formal address at an AHEPA Supreme Convention, the ambassador provided a thorough and informative update on present events in Greece since he assumed his post ten months ago.

"This is my third tour in Athens as an American diplomat and I've really been struck by the contrast between the Athens I first saw when I arrived in 1985 and the Athens I see now," said the ambassador.  "The contrast is a very positive contrast.  Economically, politically, socially, Greece is truly a dynamic place to be as we enter into the 21st century."

The ambassador described cooperation with Greece on the issue of global terrorism as "excellent" and called Greece's recent breakthroughs against the domestic terrorism group 17 November as a "triumph."

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios offered eloquent remarks and received two donations from AHEPA.  The first was the second installment of a pledge to Leadership 100, an endowment fund established to assist the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, in the amount of $10,000.  A second donation of $25,000 was given to help rebuild St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.  The contribution was the balance of the $110,000 raised and distributed for September 11 - National Tragedy Relief. 

In his remarks, the Archbishop said that the numbers, with respect to donations to various charities and September 11 relief, and AHEPA National Housing projects were "impressive." 

"They [the contributions to charity] are indicative of the continuous work and offering to both American and Greek-American societies," said the Archbishop.

His Eminence had words of praise for the Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena, adding that the youth is important to our community.

The remaining list of dignitaries addressing the AHEPA family was extraordinary.  The banquet program also included:  U.S. Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD), American Ambassador to the UN John D. Negroponte, newly appointed Greek Ambassador to the United States George Savvaidis, and Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis.

In response, Supreme President Andrew T. Banis stated that the Grand Banquet was not only the culmination of a successful Supreme Convention, but that it was also the climax of 80 years of demonstrated excellence to the communities in which we serve and to Hellenism. 

Banis added that we must remain "steadfast, strong and vigilant" on the crucial issues that affect us all as Hellenes.

"I ensure you AHEPA has and will continue to [remain vigilant] through its excellent relations with elected government officials and the diplomatic corps, and also by keeping our pulse on the Greek-American community via our vast grassroots network," he said.

Daughters of Penelope Grand President Joanne Booras, Sons of Pericles Supreme President Nick Livaditis, and Maids of Athena Grand President Katherine Papademetriou all offered moving remarks as their tenures in office came to a close. 

In presentations made that evening, Thea Halo, author of the memoir "Not Even My Name" received the 2002 AHEPA Homer Award, and her mother; Sano Themia Halo was awarded the AHEPA Medal of Freedom.  President of the AHEPA National Housing Corporation Nick Stratas announced over $100,000 in donations emanating from its management company.  Moreover, AHEPA Past Supreme President Gus Cherevas was presented with the AHEPA Distinguished Service Award. 

AHEPA is the largest Greek American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand.  It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK.  In its history, AHEPA has joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith to fight discrimination.

The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence.

The AHEPA family consists of four organizations:  AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena.

For more information about AHEPA, or how to join the AHEPA family, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, 202/232-6300.  For instant information visit www.ahepa.org.