AHEPA's Commitment to Public Service     AHEPA United We Serve Campaign An Important Message From Supreme President Nicholas Karacostas   On Its Anniversary, AHEPA Answers the Call to Public Service Joins White House's "United We Serve" Initiative, Will Combat Hunger   The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and countless Philhellenes, in the spirit of its mission, will answer the White House's call for public service by joining the "United We Serve" initiative, and invites all Hellenic Americans to do the same, announced National President Nicholas A. Karacostas. "Today, as we begin our eighty-eighth year of existence, we reaffirm our commitment to public service by launching our 'United We Serve' campaign that will combat hunger," said Karacostas. "We encourage Hellenic Americans, especially our youth, to roll up their sleeves, join the effort, and put our community's immense intellectual and productive talents in service of the public good. We can make a difference." According to Karacostas, AHEPA's "United We Serve" initiative will be a year-long campaign and consist of two programs: supporting local soup kitchens, and spearheading canned food drives. AHEPA chapters are urged to select a local soup kitchen to support during the upcoming year, and appoint a Public Service Director to oversee the project. Moreover, chapters are encouraged to organize and conduct two canned food drives benefiting a local public food assistance program that will culminate on two important dates: St. Basil's Feast Day: January 1, 2010 - to focus on feeding children who are in need Memorial Day: May 31, 2010 - to focus on feeding our Veterans who are in need The fall canned food drive will be held October 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010. The spring canned food drive will be conducted February 1, 2010 to May 31, 2010. "Best practices" will be recognized at the 88th AHEPA Supreme Convention to be held in Montreal, July 2010. "AHEPA looks forward to all Hellenic American organizations coming together and answering the White House's call to public service," said Karacostas. "Each of us can participate in 'United We Serve' directly either through a community service project, an association of our choosing, or just by doing some things at home in observance of a summer of public service."   Downloads: AHEPA United We Serve toolkit AHEPA United We Serve logo AHEPA United We Serve poster   For more detailed information, please visit www.serve.gov.