American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association to offer music, food and drink at Sept. 19-20 Taverna
Inspiration often strikes in the face of adversity, and that is how the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association first began.
The organization was founded in 1922 in Atlanta, following increasing attacks on Greek Americans by the Ku Klux Klan. While AHEPA’s initial mission was to unify Greeks against this persecution, the fraternal order has evolved over time to focus on philanthropy and education.
Today, there are over 500 AHEPA chapters nationwide. The Trenton-Hamilton chapter, No. 72, was founded in 1925 and has been going strong ever since. Now affiliated with St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Klockner Road in Hamilton, AHEPA is best known, perhaps, for its annual Greek festival, which draw community members out for authentic Greek cuisine, music, dancing and socializing. The money raised at these events benefit the community in a number of ways.
The great success of the Greek festival has prompted AHEPA to plan its first ever Taverna Night, a smaller version of the festival that will take place September 19 and 20. The event will include grilled food like gyros and souvlaki, loukoumades (deep fried dough balls smothered in honey), beer, wine, soft drinks, music and dancing. Admission is free and proceeds will go towards AHEPA sponsored scholarships.
“For the last 37 years or so we have had the Greek festival at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, usually a four-day event in May. We saw that there was always demand, so we decided to host a similar event this fall to benefit scholarships,” said Asteris Fanikos, a former club president.
Fanikos has been a member of AHEPA since 1994. Now a lieutenant governor, he represents New Jersey and Delaware chapters on the district board.
“The organization is a great way to do good works while having a great time,” said Fanikos, who is 4th generation Greek on his mother’s side and 1st on his father’s.
Fanikos said members strive to ensure their dedication to philanthropy benefits more than just Greeks, but all members of the community on national, state and local levels. They established collection depots for people to bring goods for those affected by Hurricane Sandy, and provided support when wildfires swept California and when tornadoes struck the Midwest.
Fanikos lives with his wife Dina and 3-month old baby girl in Chesterfield, and considers AHEPA a family affair.
“My father and my two brothers are both involved,” he said. “In fact, my father just finished his tenure as supreme governor over New Jersey and New York.”
Dina Fanikos has also served as president of the Daughters of Penelope ladies’ auxiliary group.
Hamilton resident Lee Millas’ involvement with AHEPA is also largely due to his family. He said he became involved thanks to his father.
“He was a Greek immigrant, and he was involved almost from AHEPA’s inception in the ’30s,” Millas said. “Our chapter is 72 of 500, so he was one of the early pioneers, and I was born into it.”
At first, AHEPA helped Greek immigrants practice English and acclimate to the American way of life. Now, the brotherhood helps Greeks stay in touch with their language and heritage, Millas said. Together, members observe important customs and traditions that are essential to Greek culture.
“We are involved with the church, but I wouldn’t say we are a religious organization,” Millas said. “There are 2.5 million Greeks throughout the country, and our organization provides great opportunities to socialize, but also to take pride in our heritage.”
Chapter secretary Jim Knicos said he is proud of the commitment that AHEPA members make to the organization.
“We have members that range in age from their early 20s to late 90s,” the Mercerville resident said. “There is something for everyone to do, but I am especially impressed by the dedication of some of our younger members and how hard they work for the causes AHEPA supports.”
Knicos has been involved for most of his life. As a child in Trenton, Knicos and his friends were members of the Sons of Periclese youth organization.
“We would get together to play sports,” Knicos said. “As we got older, we joined AHEPA, and I have been a member for over 50 years. Both of my sons are involved, too.”
Committee meetings are held every Monday, and elections on the state and national levels are held annually.
Being Greek is not a requirement for joining the organization. The Trenton chapter has more than 20 non-Greek members, many of whom have Greek spouses.
Taverna Night will be held on Friday, Sept. 19 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 20 from 1 p.m.-10 p.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1200 Klockner Road in Hamilton. For more information, go online to ahepachapter72.com.
Members of AHEPA gather to plan their September event. Pictured are (front) Asteris Fanikos, Dino Dimitriou, Rick Roscoe, Ray Lally, (back) Lee Millas, John Polios, Herb Allen and Ted Fanikos.,
