A Message from the Supreme President

Brothers, Sisters and Friends:

Next week's Presidential Inauguration will be a historic moment in time. President-elect Obama's election to our nation's highest office is the epitome of the fulfillment of the American Dream. As the children and grandchildren of immigrant forbearers and trailblazers who arrived to the United States seeking the American Dream, we pause to recognize the significance of his election. In this spirit, we will host a reception "AHEPA Celebrates the American Dream" this Monday at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. We aspire to bring our friends in the community together in celebration of this historical event and to renew relationships with friends from Capitol Hill as Congress begins anew.

Monday is also Martin Luther King Day and President-elect Obama has dedicated the day as a National Day of Service. Since our inception, AHEPA has proudly answered the call of service to the communities in which we live. Therefore, Monday is an exciting opportunity for AHEPA family members everywhere to join with fellow citizens and community groups to make our communities stronger. I urge every Ahepan and AHEPA chapter to perform an act of community service on Monday to ensure the American Hellenic community woven deeply into the fabric of America-like we have done so admirably for 86 years. For more information, please visit USAservice.org.

Finally, the President-elect has made a commitment that his administration will look like America. Therefore, it is important that Greek-Americans and Ahepans be an integral part of that picture. If you have the skills to offer the new administration, please consider taking on a position in one of the many federal agencies. This is not only a great career opportunity, but an important contribution to your community and your country. For more information about jobs available, and to submit your resume, please visit the official transition website, CHANGE.gov.

And if you are in Washington on Monday, January 19, we welcome your attendance at the National Press Club.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From AHEPA

AHEPA National Golf Invitational
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Athletics) -- AHEPA invites you to join us for the Dr. Monthe Kofos Annual Memorial AHEPA National Golf Invitational, Sunday, March 29th - Saturday, April 4th, at the Wild Dunes Resort in Charleston, South Carolina. Download the Registration Form.

Help Earthquake Victims in Greece
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Relief) -- Today Greece suffered another natural catastrophy, resulting in home and community damage. As Ahepans we can not turn a blinds eye. AHEPA asks each of you to join us now, in helping disaster victims, many of whom have been left homeless and severely injured, by contributing to the AHEPA Disaster Emergency Relief Fund. ... please give generously.

AHEPA Room Dedicated at Albany Medical Center
ALBANY (Fox 23 News) -- AHEPA Family members across Albany, NY raise nearly $25,000 to dedicate a new AHEPA Family Room at the Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Albany Medical Center, while Sons and Maids deliver of Holiday toys, collected through St. Sophia Church, to children throughout the ward. ... read more and watch the video news segment.

Norwich: AHEPA Gets Grant from Dime Bank
NORWICH (Norwich Bulletin) -- Dec 15, 2008 -- The Norwich branch of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association has received a $2,500 grant from the Dime Bank Foundation. The money will be put toward a $6,000 pavilion AHEPA plans to build this summer at its senior citizens housing complex on Hamilton Avenue. ... read more.

AHEPAcademy Now Taking Applications for the 2009 Session
WASHINGTON (AHEPAcademy) -- Attention High School Juniors: you have the opportunity to be one of a small, select group of Greek-American high school students selected from all over the country to participate in AHEPAcademy, an interactive leadership and networking seminar to be held on the campus of George Mason University outside Washington, DC from June 21-27, 2009. ... download your application today!

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.

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 2009 Calendar

JANUARY
    16-19 SOP W. Coast Greek Wknd & Regional Basketball Tourn.
            - Los Angeles, CA

FEBRUARY
    06-08 Sons & Maids Mid-Year Conference - Albany, NY
    07     Albany Sons & Maids Annual Valentine's Day Dance - Albany, NY
    13-14 District 1 Midwinter Conference - Nashville, TN

MARCH
    01     36th Annual Southeast Regional Golf Tournament - St. Petersburg, FL
    12-15 AHEPA Marrow Basketball Tournament - Chicago, IL
    21     AHEPA Canada Roast & Toast - Montreal
    29     AHEPA Suffolk County Half Marathon & 5k Race - Selden, NY

MAY
    01-03 District 4 Convention - Wilkes Barre, PA
    15-17 District 3 Convention - Silver Spring, MD
    30-31 District 6 Convention - LaGuardia, NY

JUNE
    05-07 District 1 Conference - Birmingham, AL
    05-07 District 2 Conference - Boca Raton, LA
    05-07 District 5 Conference - Trenton, NJ
    05-07 New England (Districts 7, 8 & 9) Regional Conference - Mansfield, MA
    05-07 District 10 Conference - Michigan
    05-07 Districts 12 & 13 Conference - Joliet, IL
    12-14 District 11 Conference - Canton, OH
    12-14 District 14 Conference - Sioux Falls, SD
    12-14 District 20 Conference - Anaheim, CA
    19-21 Districts 15 & 16 Convention - New Orleans, LA
    19-21 District 21 Convention - Santa Clara, CA
    29-30 AHEPA Supreme Convention 2009 - San Francisco, CA

JULY
    01-05 AHEPA Supreme Convention 2009 - San Francisco, CA

Greek American Weekly News Digest

Earthquake Rattles Southern Greece
ATHENS (International Herald Tribune) -- January 13, 2009 -- An earthquake struck southern Greece on Tuesday morning, rattling Crete and the Cycladic islands but causing no damage or injuries, Greek authorities said. ... read more.

Government Reshuffle in Greece in Wake of Riots
ATHENS (New York Times) -- January 7, 2009 -- Shaken by scandals, public protests and a surge in extremism, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis of Greece on Wednesday replaced his finance minister, who was one of his closest aides, and eight other cabinet ministers in a sweeping cabinet shake-up. ... read more.

A Family Blessed Five Times
TARPON SPRINGS (Greek News) -- January 12, 2009 -- An estimated 15,000 people attended this year's Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs, one of the largest in the world and the lucky youth who retrieved the Cross from the waters of Spring Bayou was 17 year old Pantelis "Pete" Kontodiakos. ... read more.

Other Greek American News Headlines

• GOARCH.org - January 13, 2009
  New York Life Donates One Million Dollars to Hellenic College for the Study of Hellenism in Pontus and Asia Minor
  
• BBC News - January 2, 2009
  Gunmen Shoot Policeman in Athens
  
• Greek News - January 12, 2009
  The Lost Hellenic Communities of Tsesme Province
  

AHEPA District Spotlight

AHEPA District 11
District Governor Carl Hollister
AHEPA "Buckeye" District 11 covers the great states of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia, combining the talents and efforts of 25 chapters and over 1600 members. It is proud to be the home district of Past Supreme Presidents Franklin Manios, John Economou, and Cleo Zambetis as well as AHEPA leaders Tasos Kalantzis, Alex Kariotakis, Nick Alexander and Tom Chase who have served the order nationally and continue to serve throughout the district.

AHEPA District 11 took the lead on the Cleisthenes Project, memorializing the true founder of democracy. They are currently working to endow a graduate level scholarship at The John Glenn Institute for Public Policy at The Ohio State University (John Glenn himself is an Ahepan) and a refurbishing project of the Ohio State Capitol Building. The pride of District 11, The Buckeye Scholarship Foundation, awarded $33,000 scholarships in 2008 and through the Columbus Chapter, is starting a Hellenic Bar Association for Continuing Education.

AHEPA District 11 invites you to visit their website, ahepadistrict11.org and to join them for the upcoming Buckeye District Convention, June 19-21 in Canton, Ohio.

Greek of the Week!

Albany Chapter 140 President George Pappis
Under the leadership of Chapter President George Pappis, AHEPA Chapter 140 in Albany, NY raised close to $25,000 this Holiday Season to dedicate a new AHEPA Family Room at the Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Albany Medical Center.

Brother Pappis, Branch Manager for Key Bank, has been an active member of Chapter 140 for past six years - four of which serving as president. He is an active member of St. Sophia's Church in Albany, the proud husband of Karen Pappis (Vice President of DOP Chapter 158) and the devoted father of two boys, Chris and Matt, who are carrying on the family tradition through the Sons of Pericles.

For his leadership, commitment to Hellenism, philanthropy and public service, please join us in saluting Albany Chapter 140 President George Pappis, as this week's Greek 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.

This Week for Greeks is an electronic news service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
For more information visit the AHEPA Online Headquarters at www.ahepa.org.
1909 Q Street, NW     Washington, DC 20009     Tel: 202-232-6300     Fax: 202-232-2140     Email: ahepa@ahepa.org