President John Levas thanked the members of the committee that put the event together and urged AHEPANS to keep supporting the Chapter with the same zeal during New Year 2013 as well. Through various activities, the organization keeps the spirit of Hellenism alive and strong, while managing to help in an array of causes that benefit society in general. It’s in this spirit that you see during the event very notable entrepreneurs going from table to table to sell raffle tickets instead of sending out children or young ladies as is the case in general. “To them the Chapter and its activities are special and personal. We are all in this on an equal basis,” says Levas, “and we all find more than one ways to contribute.”

The Board of the Gold Coast Chapter includes Vice President Paul Macropoulos, Secretary Larry Karantzios, Recording Secretary George Pappas, and Treasurer Ted Malgarinos. The Sunshine Welfare Chairman is Tom Gardianos, and Sons’ Advisor is George Pappas. Stanley Neamonites is head of the Scholarship Fund.

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is the largest Greek-American organization in the world. Its scope is international - with chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia and Greece. It was founded July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia, by visionary Americans of Greek descent to protect Hellenes from the evils of bigotry and to help assimilate them into American society in the early 20th Century. Although a majority of the membership is composed of Americans of Hellenic descent, application for membership is open to everyone who believes in the mission of the organization which is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.