From Left: Anthony Kouzounis (Supreme President of AHEPA), Mr. Demetrios Kaloidis, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to UN Nicholas Emiliou, Consul General of Cyprus in New York
Koula Sophianou, Congressman Eliot Engel, Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, Ambassador of Cyprus to the US George Chacalli, Daughters of Penelope President Joanne Saltas and Philip Christopher, President of PSEKA
Cyprus, while facing longstanding political challenges, was not immune to the effects of the Great Recession, and the country continues to struggle for economic stability. As such, the Order of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) hosted a successful fund-raising dinner dance at Terrace on the Park, in New York, to assist the poverty-stricken people of Cyprus.
“As we are all aware, Cyprus has endured its own banking crisis that has impacted the people on the island,” AHEPA Supreme President Anthony Kouzounis told NEO magazine. “Just as with Greece, AHEPA stands by the people of Cyprus during a most difficult and challenging time, and offers its support. In this spirit, AHEPA hosted a benefit ‘kick-off’ event to help the AHEPA Charitable Foundation take a significant step toward reaching a goal of raising $50,000 for this cause. We view this event as a springboard to launch increased grassroots support from our chapters to help us reach our goal.”
Philip Christopher, president of the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA) and chairman of the Terrace on the Park event called the fundraiser “symbolic” and one that reflects long-term philanthropic efforts for the people of Cyprus.
“I see a potentially bright future for Cyprus 10 years from now,” Mr. Christopher said. “The priorities for us include educating our US Congressmen to learn about the issues. We must continue to work to find a solution for getting Turkish troops to withdraw, and we must prioritize legitimate humanitarian and financial issues.”
Mr. Christopher added that Cyprus’ recent discovery of hydrocarbons within its exclusive economic zone can be a key factor in determining the financial direction the country takes within the next few years.
Recently, the appraisal drilling results for the “Aphrodite” gas field revealed natural gas volumes of 3.6 to 6 trillion cubic feet, with a gross mean of 5 trillion cubic feet. Though uncertainty remains regarding the status of the reserves, hope remains for the future of Cyprus, which currently holds an unemployment rate of more than 16.0% and still faces harsh recessionary conditions.In the meantime, AHEPA will continue to execute the philanthropy and volunteerism that are large pieces of its overall mission. Most recently, a shipping container filled with $650,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment was shipped to Athens, Greece, after a donation of $17,000 was made to secure the shipping container to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). This fifth shipment of medical supplies AHEPA helped deliver to Greece in cooperation with the IOCC contributes to an overall total of $3.25 million in medical supplies that have been donated and delivered to hospitals throughout Greece.
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is a service organization founded on July 26, 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia. Its mission is to support Greek-American charities, causes, and communities. It works closely with the Greek Orthodox Church. Its affiliate women’s organization, the Daughters of Penelope, was founded in 1929. It supports two youth groups, the Sons of Pericles (established in 1926) and the Maids of Athena (1930).
The AHEPA was founded as a fraternity in Atlanta, Georgia in July 1922. Its initial mission was to promote the image of Greeks in America, assist them with citizenship and assimilation into American culture, and combat prejudice. With the full assimilation of Greek Americans, its mission evolved toward philanthropy, education, and promoting and preserving the Hellenic identity of the Greek Americans and the ethnic Greeks of other countries where AHEPA is present, such as Australia, Canada, the Bahamas as well as Greece and Cyprus.
“AHEPA members pride themselves on taking a ‘roll-up your sleeves, can-do’ approach to tackling the challenges that face the community,” he said. “Whether it is raising funds to help deliver medical supplies to Greece, to our chapters supporting their local Meals-on-Wheels program or soup kitchens, to walking the halls of Congress or awarding scholarships, ‘Ahepans’ will rise to address and meet these challenges to the best of their abilities. In my travels, this work ethic, based on volunteerism, never ceases to amaze me.”
Neo Magazine