National President Ike Gulas invited U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-14-NY) to participate as the care packages, worth an estimated $250,000, were prepared for shipment. "I felt it important to fulfill our commitment to the people who suffered tremendous loss from the fires in Greece," said Gulas. "The Greek American community is mobilizing to send over much needed funds; only the AHEPA can mobilize its 435 chapters from across the globe to send significant and needed goods to ease the burden of loss.
National Vice President Nicholas A. Karacostas led the AHEPA delegation to JFK that included National Secretary Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr, National Governor Louis Arvanites, Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis, and six other Ahepans.
Rep. Maloney, co-chair, Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Affairs, added that there is a need to do more for the citizens of Greece and that the AHEPA program is an example of the support that can be done for them.
Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis said, "We received and processed more than 1,000 packages at AHEPA headquarters. The entire staff donated time and effort to assure the safest and quickest processing of all the materials received." He added that packages were examined and processed and were repackaged into uniformed AHEPA labeled packages and transported to JFK airport.
"We applaud our partners at Olympic Airlines for donating their services for this humanitarian effort," said Gulas.
Additionally, AHEPA gratefully acknowledges Mr. L. Vlamis, CEO of Olympic Airlines; Mr. S. Paterakis, Director of North and South America; Mr. G. Kessanis Sales and Marketing; Mr. N. Georgatos, Cargo Manager; and Mr. O. Sargeant, Swissport Station Manager.
"Olympic Airlines and Swissport employees donated their time and handling for this endeavor and we commend their support of our program,"said Vice President Nicholas Karacostas.
The packages are being flown to Athens Venizelos Airport today to be received by AHEPA chapters in Greece for distribution.
AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, 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, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith International 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 the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300, or visit www.ahepa.org.
