The AHEPAN Fall 2022 - 4

A MESSAGE FROM SUPREME PRESIDENT JIMMY KOKOTAS
Our Fall Harvest Is a Bountiful One
My sincere gratitude goes to the Supreme Convention delegates for entrusting me with the honor,
and affording me the privilege, of serving a second term as your Supreme President. I congratulate
our newly elected and reelected Supreme Lodge officers with whom I look forward to serving. I
also congratulate Daughters of Penelope Grand President Georgette Boulegeris, Sons of Pericles
Supreme President Ryan Marinos, and Maids of Athena Grand President Maria Ana Pantelous, and
their respective lodges, on their elections.
Jimmy Kokotas
What a memorable Centennial Supreme Convention! It was a pleasure to celebrate AHEPA's
milestone anniversary with those in attendance. There were many special moments, some of which
are captured in this issue. I invite you to visit our online photo gallery for a full collection of images. A
jampacked convention schedule featured distinguished honorees and guest speakers, inspirational
and informative panel discussions, and fun-filled social events. Thank you to all who attended and
supported our programs.
Amid all the celebration and fellowship, it was not lost on me how fortunate I am to lead AHEPA
at this special time in its history. Although we transition to autumn and its familiar surroundings
of pumpkin patches, falling leaves, and harvest festivals, our centennial celebrations continue.
AHEPA's Western Region honored California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Very Rev. Father
John S. Bakas, dean of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. I am excited for AHEPA
Region 3's centennial celebration to be held in my backyard, Queens, New York, in October. And
before autumn ends, we will conclude our year of celebration in historic Birmingham, Alabama,
home of Chapter 3, as that chapter commemorates its 100th anniversary in early December.
The fall harvest is a time to reap the work that is sown. In this issue, you will see another successful
Journey to Greece program occurred in July. It must be our Order's focus to make this program as
accessible as possible to students who aspire to connect with their roots while earning meaningful
college credit by studying in Greece with Webster University Athens.
Another program on the cusp of achieving a significant milestone thanks to the hard work sown by
its chairman, Brother George Karatzia, is AHEPA's Service Dogs for Warriors program. The program
will reach the $1 million mark raised for the sponsorship of service dogs that help veterans who are
coping with PTSD.
Also, congratulations to the AHEPA National Housing Corporation on the successful launch of its
rebrand to become AHEPA Senior Living. It is a testament to how the company has grown since its
inception in 1980 and how it has expanded the services it provides to very low-income older adults.
Finally, in this issue, you will see a fantastic tribute to our Order's eight founding fathers by Mother
Lodge Chapter 1 in Atlanta. Indeed, the fruits of the founders' labor and sacrifice planted a century
ago have helped pave the way for Greek immigrants and their descendants to achieve success in
America today.
Let's keep planting the seeds of AHEPA-philanthropy, service, education, and excellence-and
nurture them with a resolute Hellenic spirit. I encourage each Ahepan to do so, along with the help
of one new member, so that next year's harvest, and those of another 100 years to come, are even
more bountiful and widely shared.
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The AHEPAN Fall 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN Fall 2022