NEW YORK – The Manhattan Chapter of the Order of AHEPA, Delphi #25, in association with the Backgammon Club of the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) hosted the Dinner & Backgammon Tournament, a wonderful and fun event on May 13. Partial proceeds from this event are to benefit the AHEPA District Six Scholarship Fund.

The event was well-attended and open to all of the AHEPA Family and Friends as well as the Backgammon Club of the NYAC. The NYAC is an exclusive and private venue in the heart of Manhattan. AHEPA Brother Peter Stamos, a member of the NYAC, coordinated the event with the Backgammon Club President Leonida “Leyla” Zaloutskaya. Welcoming remarks were made by Delphi 25 Chapter President Theodore P. Klingos with best wishes for the participants of the event.

All in attendance enjoyed a wonderful dinner and exquisite wines and then proceeded to participate in the Backgammon Tournament that lasted till late at night. The first place winner of the Tournament was the Chapter’s past-President, Argyris S. Argitakos, and second place was won also by Chapter brother Peter Stamos (a member of the Chapter Board of Directors).

Brief History of the Order of AHEPA and Delphi Chapter #25

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is the largest and oldest American-based, Greek heritage grassroots membership organization. Its scope is international with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, Europe, and “sister” chapters in Australia and New Zealand under the auspices of AHEPA Australasia. AHEPA this year is celebrating its 100th Anniversary, as it was founded on July 26, 1922, in response to the evils of bigotry and racism that emerged in early 20th century American society. It also helped Greek immigrants assimilate into society. Today, AHEPA brings the ideals of ancient Greece, which include philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, family, and individual excellence, to the community. Although the majority of AHEPA’s membership is comprised of Americans of Hellenic descent, membership is open to anyone who believes in the mission of the organization and considers themselves philhellenes (those of non-Greek descent but friends of Greece).

AHEPA’s Delphi Chapter #25 was founded in 1923 in Manhattan; it was the first Chapter in New York State. The Delphi Chapter #25 was instrumental in welcoming the early Greek immigrants to the USA as they disembarked at Ellis Island and helping them with their assimilation into the American culture by assisting them with learning the English language, finding employment, and eventually becoming citizens of the United States.

The Delphi Chapter #25, in addition to the late President FDR, has had many notable and prominent members in its history, including many philhellenes who embraced AHEPA’s ideals and values. In 1924, Seraphim G. Canoutas joined Delphi Chapter #25 and later served as Chapter President, he was at the time the most notable historian and the primary source for the 1880 to 1920 wave of Greek immigrants. Some of the many distinguished members that followed in Delphi’s rich history were Past Chapter Presidents and later Past Supreme Presidents of AHEPA Dean Alfange and Dr. Kimon Doukas. Other notable past Presidents of Delphi Chapter #25 included the Honorable Federal Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas.

Currently the AHEPA Delphi Chapter #25 is one of the most vibrant Chapters of the Order of AHEPA; following a dynamic revitalization this AHEPA Chapter, based in Manhattan, has grown to be the largest Chapter in the entire global AHEPA domain and has been recognized with many awards and citations including most recently being awarded as the 2019 Chapter of the Year Award at the AHEPA Supreme Convention in Chicago of that year. The Chapter vibrantly continues on today in the tradition of AHEPA’s ideals and values of promoting Education and Hellenism through many efforts of public service and philanthropy.

For any further information please visit www.AHEPA25.org.