This Week For Greeks! - Vol.2 Issue 35 - Monday, November 3, 2008

A Message from the Supreme President

Brothers, Sisters and Friends:

This week, obviously, we head to the polls to vote. This is the most important and sacred duty that we possess as citizens is to exercise our right to vote. We encourage each and every one of you to vote on November 4, and to remind your family members, friends, and colleagues to do the same.

Moreover, this week I'm excited to embark on a "mini-caravan" to Ohio. I look forward to interacting with the vibrant Greek-American communities of Akron, Warren, and Columbus, exchanging dialogue on the issues of importance to the community, and sharing ideas on how to take AHEPA to greater heights. Furthermore, our Brothers of Ohio (District 11) have arranged a meeting at the State Capitol with Governor Ted Strickland, a former member of Congress who held membership in the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.

Finally, as we head into the homestretch of 2008, we ask our chapters to make that final push for new members, to reinstate former members, and to ensure that dues are remitted by the December 31st deadline. Please contact Headquarters if you have any questions with membership services, membership@ahepa.org. Thank you.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From AHEPA

AHEPA OBSERVES OXI DAY
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- FDR'S Words About Greece's Heroic Stand Remembered -- Supreme President Ike Gulas issued the following statement on the 68th anniversary of "OXI Day": ... read more.

AHEPA Journey to Greece Class of 2008 2009 AHEPA Journey to Greece Application now Online!
WASHINGTON (Journey to Greece) -- The AHEPA Journey to Greece Program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn college credit while learning about ancient and modern Greece. Plans for the 2009 Program are well underway. Download the prospectus and fill out your application today! ... read more.

AHEPA Congressional Scorecard AHEPA Releases Congressional Scorecard for the 110th Congress
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- Before making your choices at the ballot box, it's important to know where your elected officials stand on the issues. AHEPA has evaluated Members of Congress on their support for Greek-American issues. Find out how your Senators and Respresentative rate and how you can contact them in Washington. ... download the scorecard

AHEPA Vote 2008 AHEPA Voter Registration and Education Campaigns
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- AHEPA has launched a voter registration and education campaign in preparation for Election Day 2008, announced Supreme President Ike Gulas. ... read more.

The AHEPAN Magazine - Summer 2008 Hot Off The Press: The AHEPAN Summer 2008 Issue
WASHINGTON (AHEPAN Magazine) -- Can't wait for your copy to come in the mail? Burning to find out more about the historic Supreme Convention in Athens, the unstopable AHEPA All-star Basketball Team -- or to find out what's going on in chapters across the country? Well, suffer no more!
Download the Summer 2008 issue online!

AHEPA Disaster Relief Help AHEPA Widen Our Scope of Disaster Relief Efforts!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Relief) -- Recently our nation and world have faced a series of natural disasters which, as Ahepans we can not turn a blinds eye. After the enormous success of our efforts to provide relief to the wild fire victims in Greece, AHEPA asks each of you to join us now, in helping disaster victims, many of whom have been left homeless and severely injured. ... please give generously.

AHEPA's New VISA Affinity Card Apply Today for your New AHEPA VISA Affinity Card!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Promotion) -- AHEPA is proud to announce, through our partnership with Bank of America, an offer you literally can't afford to pass by! The New AHEPA VISA Affinity Card offers you, not only the lowest APR available, but at a fixed rate that won't change after the card has been activated -- and a chance to help AHEPA at the same time! Please check out the offer online and appply for your new card today!

AHEPA 2008 Calendar

NOVEMBER
    01     Sons of Pericles Halloween Party - Paramus, NJ
    04     Election Day - Nationwide
    05     Supreme President Visitation - Akron, OH
    11     Veterans Day - Nationwide
    15     District 12 Fall Workshop - Hammond, IN

DECEMBER
    03     Ike Gulas visits Hellenic College / Holy Cross Church - Brookline, MA
    05     District 5 Initiation - Montvale, NJ
    05     Supreme President Visitation | Makaronada Night - Montvale, NJ
    06     AHEPA Chapter 405 Ritual Initiation and Awards Luncheon - Westchester, NY
    25     Holy Nativity (Christmas)
    31     AHEPA Annual Chapter Dues Deadline

Greek American Weekly News Digest

28 October OXI Day in Greece National Holiday
NEW YORK (American Chronicle) -- October 28, 2008 -- The magnificent Greek holiday Oxi Day is celebrated every year in Greece on October 28th and mostly remembered for general Ioannis Metaxas' strong reply of 'oxi' (no) to Mussolini's request to allow Italian troops to come into Greece at the beginning of WW II. ... read more.

[L-R] National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis, MD; Archon Xenophon Zapis; Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law & Justice; His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America; The Honorable James F. Jeffrey, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey; and Archon Dr. Constantine Papadakis; Archon John A. Catsimatidis US Ambassador to Turkey attends Annual Archon General Assembly
NEW YORK (Archon News) -- October 29, 2008 -- The Order of St. Andrew welcomed two distinguished guests at its annual Archon General Assembly on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Hilton Hotel in New York City: ... read more.

AHEPA District Spotlight

AHEPA John G. Thevos District 5
District Governor Ted Fanikos
The Fifth District encompasses the States of New Jersey and Delaware. There are currently eighteen chapters in District 5 and they are over 1,000 brothers strong and growing.

District 5's accomplishments are many, but to highlight a few they include:

AHEPA Cancer Foundation. This Foundation was founded over 20 years ago and has donated over half a million dollars to physicians researching for a cure. Last year District 5 donated $50,000 to these research physicians.
AHEPA Odyssey Charter School. This charter school is located in Wilmington, Delaware, was founded three years ago and currently has over 300 students.
AHEPA Voice. This is District 5's quarterly magazine that informs the brothers and daughters of past and upcoming events in the District concerning the AHEPA.
Fire Relief project. District 5 rasied funds and spearheaded collection of donations for the victims in Greece. The district collected over 175 boxes of neccessities to the victims. In addiiton, District 5 donated funds to schools devastated as well as donating computers and other school equipment. District 5 also adopted a senior citizen and an orphan as well as giving funds to renovate a damaged church as well as for the planting of trees.
St Basil Orphanage. Every year District 5 visits the orphanage and donate funds and gifts to the children.
AHEPA scholarships. Both on a district and chapter level, District 5 is committed to giving schaolrships back to the community, as well as to other exemplary and needy students.

Upcoming events include a trip to St Basil at Christmas, the AHEPA Cancer Foundation Gala on November 1st, additonal fudnraisers to support needy causes and the Metropolis' new building as well as holding cultural seminars.

AHEPA District 5 invites you to visit their website (http://hec.greece.org/ahepa/d5) and to take part in many of the upcoming events you find listed there and on the AHEPA National Events Calendar.

Greeks of the Week!

Greek-Americans Running for Elected Office
It takes courage and passion and a strong committment to civic duty, to run for elected office. AHEPA salutes all the candidates in this election year who are following in the great Greek tradition called Democracy. We want to especially applaud our Brothers, Family, and Philhellenes on the campaign trail. These proud individuals span all political parties, and are competing in races on the federal, state and local level.

The list includes: Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), Congressman Zack Space (D-OH), Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Jane Mitakides (D-OH), Dina Titus (D-NV) & Jim Trakas (R-OH).

For serving as role models for our youth, and strong voices in our community, please join AHEPA in honoring these proud Greek-Americans, running for elected office, as this week's Greeks of the Week!

Who's Your Greek of the Week?
There are many heroes in our community who often sadly go unrecognized. You can help. Nominate someone to be AHEPA's Greek of the Week! Simply email a short, detailed nomination, along with a digital photo of them to webmaster@ahepa.org.