Across the country AHEPA chapters are hosting events related to their local Greek parades. Chapter 41, “The Brooklyn Chapter” whose president is attorney Ted Pavlounis, will host its annual pre-Greek parade Eleftheria Gala at the Renaissance Event Hall in Astoria on Friday, March 28 at 9 PM. A portion of the proceeds is traditionally given to charity and this year it will be dedicated to Kefalonia earthquake relief.

Jimmy Kokotas, National Advisor to the Sons of Pericles, calls the chapter one of the Order’s great success stories. In its glory days, it produced not one but two AHEPA Supreme Presidents, but it underwent a period of decline. Volunteers like Matthew Mirones kept it alive and eventually helped bring about its renaissance by recruiting Sons of Pericles members from the 1980s and 90s.

Mirones also coordinates the chapter’s series of breakfast roundtables that have been attended by top government officials such as Tom DiNapoli, New York State comptroller, and Scott Stringer,  New York City’s Comptroller.