NEW YORK, NY. Monday, July 1, 2020, we are honored to announce that, AHEPA Hermes Ch. 186, Br. George Zouvelos, was awarded AHEPAN OF THE YEAR, the Districts highest honor, at the New York State AHEPA New York Empire State District 6 Convention held this past weekend, held virtually for the first time in New York. The award reads, “In Recognition of Outstanding Leadership, and Devoted Services, As Well As His Unselfish Contributions,Toward the Advancement of the Programs and Progress of the Order of AHEPA.”
Zouvelos an #AHEPAN for nearly 30 years, has just been re-elected New York State District Warden, is immediate past president of the AHEPA Hermes chapter No. 186, in Astoria, New York City; and, is past New York State District Marshal for New York. All are elected positions on the chapter, and or across all 62 counties of New York State. This past December 2019, Zouvelos was also awarded the AHEPA New York State Governor prestigious Golden Eagle Outstanding Service Award for exceptional community and civic service, while maintaining and demonstrating, through programs and his efforts, the highest ideals of the Order of AHEPA and it’s founding principles.
“I am truly humbled, honored and proud to be the one selected to receive this years prestigious AHEPAN OF THE YEAR award, and that I was selected unanimously from all the chapters across all 62 counties of the State of New York. I am the 99th person to receive this highest honor and award since the founding of AHEPA here in New York. I will always strive to promote the ancient #Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism,” said George Zouvelos.
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is a fraternal organization founded on July 26,1922, in Atlanta, Georgia. AHEPA was founded to fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the #KKK #KuKluxKlan. It is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of #Greek heritage and #Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
The AHEPA Shrine Chapter 500 of Greenlawn Long Island, was awarded Chapter of the Year, it is the newest chapter in the New York State AHEPA domain. AHEPA Br. Bobby Gemelas, of Port Jefferson, and Br. Mike Labatos of Syracuse were each awarded this years Exceptional Service Award.