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| Six new members were initiated into the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 Order of AHEPA in 2021. Pennsylvania District Governor Harry Mackrides and members of the District Lodge were on hand for the initiation ceremony at the Deluxe Restaurant. |
The Reading AHEPA Chapter concluded a very active year in 2021. The following is a summary and highlights of the action taken at the chapter's most recent business meeting held at the Deluxe Restaurant:
• 37 Ahepans were in attendance at the dinner meeting who enjoyed fellowship and great food hosted by the Frangakis family and Deluxe staff.
• In attendance were AHEPA Power District No. 4 District Lodge members: District Governor Harry Mackrides, Lt. Governor Chris Megoulas, and District Treasurer Tim Vlassopoulos.
• Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council member Thomas Crassas made a presentation about a proposed AHEPA ministry/outreach program in which action was approved at the business meeting as follows:
AHEPA currently supports the church's monthly food pantry with a total of $1,440 covering the operational costs of this outreach program. The AHEPA donation covers the 2021 and 2022 calendar years. AHEPA Chapter No. 61 approved to enhance the food pantry program in providing Christmas gifts for the 124 children of the pantry participants in December totaling approximately $1,000.
Currently, 100% of all proceeds from the annual AHEPA Golf Classic provide scholarships for our youth continuing their education following high school graduation. Since 2011, AHEPA has awarded monetary scholarships for 39 deserving youth. In 11 years, most of the scholarships awarded have been $1,000 per student. The AHEPA Scholarship Fund investment currently has as of October 31, 2021, a balance of $83,008. AHEPA took action that the proceeds allocation from the annual golf outing be adjusted starting with the 2022 tournament as follows: 50% of the proceeds will be earmarked for the scholarship fund investment and 50% towards an AHEPA ministry/outreach program to be determined on an annual basis.
It was recommended that AHEPA endorse a very worthwhile cause; the digging and building of a water well for an Orthodox Seminary in Guatemala to provide clean water to our fellow Orthodox brothers and sisters. The goal for this ministry project is to raise $10,000 by the end of 2021. AHEPA approved donating $5,000 toward this ministry goal.
• AHEPA Chapter No. 61 hosted a lunch for the Sunday School Christmas pageant participants on Sunday, December 19.
• Sts. Constantine & Helen Church will host our Metropolis Goya basketball tournament on January 14, 15 & 16. AHEPA will be preparing and serving dinner after Vesper Services on Saturday, January 15, for all participants. Additionally, AHEPA will host a fellowship breakfast on Sunday, January 16 in support of our youth.
• District Governor Harry Mackrides conducted the initiation ceremony of the following candidates for membership into AHEPA: Jason Arnold, Gino Caloiero, James Phyrillas, Chris Siozos, Jonathan Thompson and Dr. George Visnich.
• The next AHEPA dinner meeting in 2022 will be held at the Crossroads Restaurant on Tuesday, February 22, at 6:00 p.m.
-- Submitted by Chapter President George Giovanis
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| District Governor Harry Mackrides addresses the members of AHEPA Chapter 61 during the dinner meeting. Brother Mackrides gave a brief history of the AHEPA's 100 years of service. |
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| Thomas Crassas, a member of the Parish Council at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, speaks about a water well project for an Orthodox Seminary in Guatemala. AHEPA Chapter No. 61 donated $5,000 toward the project. |
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| Chapter President George Giovanis gave highlights of 2021 chapter activities and briefed chapter members about upcoming events for 2022. |
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| Chapter President George Giovanis presents gifts to the three visiting members of the District Lodge. |
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| Michael Macaronis presents a report on the successful 2021 Ernie Orphanos Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament hosted by the Reading AHEPA Chapter in August. |
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| Rev. Father Theodore Petrides from Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading gave the opening and closing prayers and thanked the Reading AHEPA Chapter for its longtime support of the church and its ministries. |
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| Reading AHEPA Chapter Treasurer Tony Phyrillas updates members on the chapter's finances. |
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| The newest members of the Gust C. Kraras AHEPA Chapter No. 61 are from l-r: Jonathan Thompson, Dr. George Visnich, Jason Arnold, James Phyrillas, Gino Caloiero and Chris Siozos. |
