CHICAGO--The AHEPA family
of District 13, which encompasses Illinois and
Wisconsin, raised $50,000 for the benefit of Metropolis Children's Camp,
a
campsite for the Metropolis of Chicago that has been a longtime dream
of His
Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos. The donation, raised via a banquet held
Feb.
26, will go toward the purchase of the property where the camp is located.
Supreme President Franklin R. Manios, who
attended the event, commended the
members of District 13 for their initiative to assist the Metropolis
of
Chicago by bringing the community together.
However, he added, '…we must not
rest on our laurels. The challenge of
keeping our Hellenic heritage and Orthodox Faith alive is a constant
calling; one that we must all meet together.
The fundraiser by District 13 comes on
the heels of a $40,000 contribution
to the Shriner's Hospital for Children by the Montreal AHEPA Family
and a
$50,000 donation toward cancer research by the AHEPA Family Fifth District
Cancer Foundation.
'The spirit of philanthropy is vibrant
in the Greek-American community and
it is an integral component of the mission of the AHEPA family, especially
at the grassroots level as demonstrated here tonight," Manios said.
The Metropolis Children's Camp is used
for church-related events and
retreats.
The supreme president congratulated District
13 Governor John Galanis, Lt.
Gov. George Pantazelos and Daughters of Penelope Governor Connie Chiagouris
for the successful gala affair themed 'Salute to the Churches."
He also thanked award-winning WMAQ-NBC
5 Anchorwoman Allison Rosati, who
served as Master of Ceremonies, and Emmy award-winning Producer George
Veras
who was the Principal Speaker for contributing to the success of the
banquet.
In attendance were: His Eminence Metropolitan
Iakovos of the Metropolis of
Chicago, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic Aliki Hadji, who expressed
her gratitude to AHEPA as she was born at the AHEPA Hospital in
Thessaloniki; and Daughters of Penelope Grand President Demetra Kapolis.
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 any of its programs and how
to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300. For instant
information visit www.ahepa.org