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For Immediate Release
Monday, January 30, 2012
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Contact: AHEPA Headquarters
Phone: (202) 232-6300
Email: press@ahepa.org
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Press Release
AHEPA Establishes Chapters in England, Bulgaria
WASHINGTON - The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading membership-based association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, continues its international expansion, establishing chapters in London, England and Sofia, Bulgaria, announced Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides.
"We are excited the Hellenic communities of London and Sofia petitioned the Supreme Lodge to charter chapters in each of their respective cities," Dr. Grossomanides said. "We are proud our mission continues to resonate with Hellenes from around the world. This is a landmark moment in our organization's history, and I know the chapters of London and Sofia aspire to make immediate contributions to their communities." According to Supreme President Dr. Grossomanides, the Supreme Lodge approved the charters for Sofia Chapter No. 539 in December 2011 and London Chapter No. 541 in January 2012. District 25 Governor Nikos Papadopoulos, a member of the AHEPA International Committee, was instrumental in helping to organize the chapters.
"AHEPA is growing internationally thanks in large part to social media," said Dr. Grossomanides. "However, chartering a chapter requires person-to-person interaction and having that one individual who is the 'sparkplug' to organize it."
Dr. Grossomanides noted that the establishment of chapters in London and Sofia comes on the heels of the establishment of a chapter in Istanbul, Turkey, an AHEPA District (comprised of at least three chapters) in Cyprus and the reactivation of a chapter in Puerto Rico. AHEPA's newest chapter in the United States is Honolulu, Hawaii Chapter No. 540 established December 2011.
"Under the leadership of AHEPA International Chairman Gus James, we continue to be excited about the prospects of expanding AHEPA into other unique parts of the globe," added Dr. Grossomanides.
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Photo Caption: International Committee Member Papadopoulos pins newest Ahepan of London Chapter 541
AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith International to fight discrimination.
The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.
For more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, (202) 232-6300, or visit www.ahepa.org. To learn more about the AHEPA National Educational Foundation, please visit www.ahepa.org/education.