Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

AHEPA Donates Christmas Gifts to St. Basil Academy Students

WASHINGTON (December 21, 2009)—Nicholas A. Karacostas, supreme president of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation�s three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and countless Philhellenes, attended St. Basil Academy�s annual Christmas luncheon on December 19, 2009 where he presented each student with a Christmas gift.



“For nearly 50 years the AHEPA family has been a proud supporter of St. Basil Academy,” said Karacostas. “These students are so special and work very hard to achieve their academic goals. The AHEPA family will always be committed to ensuring the mission of St. Basil Academy is met.”



Despite the inclement weather approximately 150 persons attended and were treated to a Christmas pageant staged by the Academy students. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios spoke at the luncheon. Father Costas Sitaras, director, St. Basil Academy, and Evellyn Tsiadis, president, St. Basil Academy Board of Trustees, and a Daughters of Penelope past grand president, welcomed the guests. AHEPA�s Chairman of St. Basil Academy Committee James Poll sent his Christmas greetings.



“We were treated to a wonderful program that captured the essence of the Christmas spirit,” added Karacostas. “It was a pleasure to spend the day with Archbishop Demetrios, the leadership of St. Basil�s, and of course, the students.”



In its history, AHEPA has donated more than $1.75 million to St. Basil Academy for the construction of dormitories and a school building. Also, the Daughters of Penelope has contributed to the furnishing of new buildings that have been built on campus and built a heated outdoor swimming pool for the children. Together, the AHEPA family provides for the ongoing maintenance and renovation of the facilities it helped to construct.



For more information about St. Basil Academy, please visit http://www.saintbasilacademy.org/, or how you can help the academy, visit http://www.saintbasilacademy.org/donate/wish_list.



AHEPA was established in 1922 by visionary Greek-Americans to protect all from bigotry and prejudice at the hands of the KKK. In its history, AHEPA has joined with the NAACP and B�nai B�rith International to fight discrimination. It has grown to become the largest membership-based association for Hellenic-Americans and Philhellenes in the world.



For more information about AHEPA, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300, or visit www.ahepa.org.