FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Daughters of Penelope (DOP) Narcissus Chapter 289 and AHEPA Chapter 394 hosted their Annual Christmas Party on December 7 at the beautiful Oceanic Restaurant at the Pompano Pier. There were 180 guests present in support of Kids in Distress. They collected $235 in donations as well as blankets, backpacks, pajamas, stuffed animals, and clothes. There are approximately 20,000 kids in Florida who are in foster care, with many who are pulled out of their homes in the middle of the night without anything. According to 1 Peter 4:10- “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

The Greek owner of the restaurant, Lou Moshakos, who owns multiple restaurants and is based out of Raleigh, NC, graciously provided the second floor of the restaurant which had a view of the Atlantic Ocean. It was an open-air atmosphere with an outdoor bar area. The view was breathtaking and everyone had fun dancing the night with DJ Jimmy D Entertainment. Many guests noted that it was wonderful to celebrate the beginning of our Christmas season with our AHEPA family members and parishioners of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Ft. Lauderdale.

Special guests included the current AHEPA Chapter 394 President Mike Reppas, DOP President from Ft. Lauderdale Stella Stringer, DOP President from West Palm Beach, FL Maria Balasis Zahn, and District 2 Governor Eftyhia Kirkiles and her husband, Supreme Counselor of AHEPA Demetrios Kirkiles. Fr. Peter Zougras, Presbytera Alexa, and Dr. George Georgakakis, Parish Council President of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church were also in attendance. “We appreciate their support of our AHEPA family,” the chapters noted in a statement via email.