PORT JEFFERSON, NY – On Saturday, November 11, 2023, AHEPA Chapter 319 in Port Jefferson, New York, donated $1,000 to the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors Program.

As per George Kallas, Chapter President was quoted: We are very proud and excited to be able to donate to the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors program and plan to do so every year on Veterans Day to recognize and appreciate our veterans.

Our AHEPA Chapter 319 in Port Jefferson is 40 strong, and our goal for next year is to expand to 50 while increasing our fund-raising levels and continuing to focus on and support the following areas with donations: AGAPE Meals for Kids: Agape Meals for Kids directly addresses childhood hunger and food insecurity faced by children on Long Island. They provide kid-friendly food packs to children identified at risk for hunger. St. Basil Academy: Saint Basil Academy, located in New York’s Hudson Valley, serves the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and is a national not-for-profit philanthropic center for children and young adults in need. Their mission is to provide a safe and supportive environment where our children and young adults are nurtured to become healthy members of society with vision and hope.

Stony Brook University’s Center for Hellenic Studies: Every year on AHEPA Sunday the Port Jefferson chapter awards three students who win the AHEPA sponsored scholarship competition with $1,000 each.

Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption: Started in Port Jefferson, NY, on Palm Sunday in April of 1959, this is the church that AHEPA Chapter 319 is aligned with. AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors: AHEPA supports veterans with PTSD by donating funds to provide them with fully trained service dogs.

AHEPA does an outstanding job honoring our veterans, and the Service Dogs for Warriors is but one of three programs dedicated to them, which also include the following:

Veterans Affairs Committee – The committee conducts fund raising and philanthropic outreach through cohesive, limited, yet well-defined activities such as award ceremonies and organizational recognition by the U.S. Congress.

Wreath Laying Ceremonies – Every year at the Arlington National Cemetery, the Supreme President, and members of AHEPA pay their respects to those who gave their lives to protect this country.

AHEPA’s mission is to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.

AHEPA 319 Chapter Officers are: President George Kallas, Vice President Paul Zaferiou, Director of Philanthropy Sam Zubalake, Sentinel Louis Tsunis, Chapter Warden Ray Iasilli, Chapter Counsel Alexi Poulianos, Board of Governors Chairman and District Marshal Nick Calogredes, Secretary Georgios Papachatzakis, Director of Hellenism and Chapter Chaplain Rev. Demetrios Calogredes, Sentinel Bill Govits, Treasurer Michael Kontonicolas, Director of Civic Responsibility George Vlachos, Director of Education Nicholas Kleopoulos, Director of Family & Individual Excellence John Damaskos, and Director of Social Media Apollon Zoumpanidopoulos.

For more information, visit: www.ahepa319.org.