It was established in 1985 to preserve the rich culture, heritage and traditions of Greek immigrants in Southern California. Through its FLOGA Project (signifying PASSING THE TORCH from generation to generation), the Greek Heritage Society documents the story of early Greek immigrants and highlights continuing generations.

In doing so, it provides the community with an extensive database of Southern California's rich Greek American history. GHS celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a May Day celebration on Sunday May 1st, 2011. Guests were treated to a PowerPoint presentation of events and photos over the past 25 years, a grand display of materials, a delicious Greek dinner, Greek dancing and a wonderful raffle. GHS also honored three deserving individuals -- its past President Zoye Marino Fidler and two exemplary board members, Harry Rather and Dr. John Gregory Panopoulos.

The accomplishments since the inception of GHS can be viewed online at: www.greekheritagesociety.org - their most recent being the release of their second documentary: “The Promise of Tomorrow 1940-1960”. Over the years GHS has interviewed over 300 Greek Americans in Southern California, their historical photos, private footage, and folk art treasures have been catalogued for present and future projects. GHS has even contributed photos to the Ellis Island Museum and continues to conduct oral histories of the Greek American community, as well as ongoing screening premiers all over the country.

In fact they have become so world renowned that next month they will be showing their documentary at a screening north of the border at the 2011 ReelHeART International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada (www.reelheart.org) on Friday June 24th at 2pm, where they’ll be surely welcomed with open arms and win the hearts of the local Greek Community there as well (having already won the heart of this Snowbird, yours truly)!

GHS will continue its mission for many years. It will soon begin pre-production on the last part of its Greek trilogy -- "The Greeks of Southern California Through the Century." Part 3 will bring the story full circle and show how second, third and even fourth generation Greek Americans continue celebrating their Greek heritage, culture and traditions in southern California.

For more information about the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California or to purchase a DVD, please contact the organization’s President Shelly Papadopoulos via email: greekheritage@hotmail.com or by phone: (310) 528-8214. Theis website is: www.greekheritagesociety.org