Some 200
AHEPANS, family members, invited guests and supporters gathered on April 27,
2025, to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime event – the 100th anniversary of the
Reading, Pa., AHEPA Chapter.
The Gust C.
Kraras Chapter No. 61 was chartered on March 16, 1925, originally as William
Penn Chapter No. 61 before it was renamed in 2015 in honor of a longtime AHEPAN
who revitalized the chapter.
With three
members of the Supreme Lodge and Pennsylvania District No. 4 District Governor
Chris Megoulas in attendance on April 27, guests were treated to a catered luncheon
and program in the Kraras Hall at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox
Church in Reading, Pa.
Supreme Vice
President Chris Kaitson, Supreme Secretary Zenon Christodoulou and Supreme
Treasurer Themistocles Frangos represented the Order of AHEPA.
Festivities
began with the screening of a short film recapping the history of the Order of
AHEPA, followed by presentations of various awards. The 100th Anniversary
Banquet also doubled as the chapter’s annual Scholarship Dinner, with scholarships
awarded to deserving high school graduates from the church community.
Guests
received a booklet that included the history of the chapter, well-wishes from
patrons and a commemorative 100th Anniversary mug to remember the occasion.
Christos
Dikos and Christ G. Kraras served as co-masters of ceremony for the event.
While the
Reading, Pa., AHEPA Chapter has had its peaks and valleys throughout its
century of operation, the last 15 years have been extraordinary.
Since the
chapter was revitalized in 2010 under the direction of the late Gust C. Kraras
and Chapter President Dr. George J. Giovanis, it has been one of fastest fastest-growing
and most active in the AHEPA Domain.
Many new
members were initiated, and former members reinstated. As a result, the Reading
AHEPA was recognized as Chapter of the Year in Pennsylvania by Power District 4
in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. The Reading AHEPA Chapter was also recognized as
the 2014 Chapter of the Year in the AHEPA domain worldwide.
In addition
to membership growth, the Reading AHEPA continues to provide service to others
through donations and support to our church and community-at-large, including
$50,000 in scholarships to deserving youth since 2011; $5,000 toward the
digging and building of a water well for an Orthodox Seminary in Guatemala to
provide clean water; $4,000 donation to the International Orthodox Christian
Charities (IOCC); $5,000 to the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox
Church AGAPE Ministry; annual scholarships for the Church Oratorical contest;
and $3,000 for the Reading Education Foundation to support innovated practices
in an urban school district.
Representatives
from the Reading Education Foundation, Gordon Hoodak, Executive Director of the
Reading Education Foundation, and Stella Leonti, were invited to the banquet.
Christine
Folk, Director of Mary’s Shelter of Reading, accepted a $1,000 donation from
the chapter. Mary’s Shelter is a housing and social service agency that addresses
pregnancy, parenting, and youth homelessness.
Rick Perez,
CEO of the Olivet Boys’ & Girls’ Club of Reading, and Leo Martinez, Reading
School Board member, accepted a $1,000 donation from the chapter. Olivet serves
more than 3,000 youth each year, offering after-school programs and mentoring.
District 4
District Governor Chris Megoulas accepted a $500 chapter donation on behalf
of the Ronald McDonald House of Hershey. Each AHEPA chapter in Pennsylvania has
been asked to support this district charity goal for 2025.
The Reading
AHEPA Chapter also presented the Supreme Lodge officers with a $1,000 check to
the AHEPA Charitable Fund to help Helene & Milton Hurricane victims.
The local chapter
holds a Scholarship Banquet every spring to recognize high school graduates. It
was combined this year with the 100th Anniversary celebration.
Scholarship Chairman Athan Dialectos presented $1,000 scholarships to four
graduates from our church community: Christo Hunsicker, Christopher Kraras,
Nathan Radwanski and Nikolas Rohm.
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| The 2025 Chapter 61 Scholarship Recipients, from l-r: Christo Hunsicker, Nathan Radwanski, Nikolas Rohm and Christopher Kraras. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
The Supreme
Lodge officers also recognized the late Gust C. Kraras with a certificate and
AHEPA Heroes Medal for his dedication and decades of service to AHEPA. The award was accepted
by his grandson, Dean Kraras.
Supreme Vice
President Chris Kaitson surprised two more Reading AHEPA Chapter leaders with the presentation of the Order of AHEPA Heroes Medal.
The medals
were presented to Christ Kraras and Dr. George J. Giovanis, who is serving his
15th year as Chapter President.
The AHEPA
Heroes Medal is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement and tireless
effort to serve our communities as a devoted AHEPA member. This medal is
reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to AHEPA.
In addition
to Dr. Giovanis, also attending the banquet were all the living Past Chapter
Presidents: Tony Phyrillas, Spiro Phyrillas, Strat Marmarou and Christopher
Wagner. Thirty-five men had held the office of Chapter President over the past 100 years.
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| The AHEPA Heroes Medal is presented to Dr. George Giovanis. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Christ Kraras is presented the AHEPA Heroes Medal by members of the Supreme Lodge. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| AHEPA Supreme Vice President Chris Kaitson reads the 100th Anniversary Proclamation. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Guests received a commemorative booklet and 100th Anniversary mug. |
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| AHEPANs and guests enjoy a delicious meal by Kathryn's Katering. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Co-MC Chris Dikos welcomes everyone to the 100th Anniversary Celebration at Kraras Hall in Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Pennsylvania District 4 Governor Chris Megoulas thanks the Reading Chapter for a $500 donation to the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| A string quartet from Governor Mifflin High School entertains guests during the 100th Anniversary Banquet. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Members of the AHEPA Supreme Lodge and District Governor Chris Megoulas present Chapter President Dr. George Giovanis with a Certificate honoring Chapter 61 for 100 years of community service as part of the AHEPA fraternity. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Chapter President Dr. George Giovanis presented a check to Thomas Crassas to cover the expenses of the monthly Food Pantry program at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church for 2025 and 2026. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Scholarship Chairman Athan Dialectos introduced this year's recipients. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Scholarship Recipient Christo Hunsicker with Scholarship Chairman Athan Dialectos. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| AHEPANS and guests were treated to a delicious luncheon on April 27, 2025, at Kraras Hall. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Scholarship Recipient Nikolas Rohm with Scholarship Chairman Athan Dialectos. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Scholarship Recipient Christopher Kraras with his Family. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Dr. George Giovanis has served as President of AHEPA Chapter 61 for the past 15 years. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Chapter President Dr. George Giovanis presents a donation to a representative of Mary's Shelter of Reading. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Scholarship Recipient Nathan Radwanski with Scholarship Chairman Athan Dialectos. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Scholarship Recipient Christo Hunsicker with his Family. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Supreme Lodge Officers present the AHEPA Heroes Medal to Dean Kraras in honor of his grandfather, the late Gust C. Kraras. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Scholarship Recipient Christopher Kraras with Scholarship Chairman Athan Dialectos. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Christ Kraras congratulates his grandsons, Christopher Kraras and Christo Hunsicker, two of the 2025 AHEPA Chapter Scholarship Recipients. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Chapter President Dr. George Giovanis presents a donation to representatives of the Olivet Boys' and Girls' Club of Reading. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Co-MC Christ Kraras, who also received the AHEPA Heroes Medal, addresses the audience at the 100th Anniversary Banquet. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Co-MC Chris Dikos is all smiles at the 100th Anniversary Banquet. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Scholarship Recipient Nikolas Rohm and Family. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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| Scholarship recipient Nathan Radwanski and his Family. (Photo by Phil Macaronis) |
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