Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

November Newsletter
ORDER OF AHEPA
SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER #243
“Promoting the Harmony of Greek Culture, Service, and Community”
Est. 1929
“Keeping the Spirit Alive in 2005, and in the Mix in 2006”
http//www.ahepa20.org/~chapter243/

As we enter the Month of November we become aware of the significant and wonderful holidays and their promise of joy and comfort. November is the Time of Thanksgiving and Reflection.
Your Ahepa Chapter has much to be thankful for-a close knit community of many talents which has a history that reveals this unique depth of character.. We are thankful that this motivated Chapter has the Vision and the Ability to fully participate in the many missions of Ahepa which benefits us and the St. Barbara Community. We are thankful for the synergy and teamwork with the Daughters of Penelope in the accomplishments of these tasks. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in the Saint Barbara Name day and Weekend Celebration. This event promises to be very special as we also acknowledge Fr. Paul’s Tenth Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood. We are fortunate that he is with us.
November is also the month when we announce the availability of District 20 Scholarship applications. There is a history of the Santa Barbara Ahepa Chapter involvement in the creation of this very worthwhile program. What follows is a bit of history as told by a gentleman who was there at the inception of the program-
“It all started in Santa Barbara, California in 1959 at a District Visitation to the local chapter that Tom Perstsulakes suggested that perhaps the Ahepa should place more emphasis on education and do so by creating a District Scholarship Fund. It was then District Governor Frank Rhodes of the Pasadena Chapter and several other dedicated Ahepans that implemented the idea. Members of the Ahepa Family were given a "piggy bank" and asked to save a penny a day and contribute that amount to the Piggy Bank Fund for the purposes of distributing funds for scholarships. In 1963 the scholarship fund distributed the first scholarships from earnings generated from the Piggy Bank Funds. In 1972 the fund was incorporated in Santa Barbara and according to the By-Laws; its principle office is maintained here. In 1995 the Scholarship Corporation name was changed to better reflect our tax-exempt status and is now known as the El Camino Real District 20 Ahepa Scholarship Foundation.
As a tax exempt Foundation, scholarships are awarded based upon the amount of income that is derived from investments. Every fall, the applications are distributed to Ahepa Family members. The awards are granted at the District Convention in the summer. In the interim the applications are forwarded to an outside evaluator who ranks the applicants according to various criteria.
The scholarships are based on more than scholarship merit. Past recipients have excelled in many other activities such as sports, church, and civic honors. Among the recipients are Alex Trigonis and Gregory Brown
Those eligible to apply may be graduating High School Seniors, college/university under graduates or graduate students. All applicants must be related to members of the Ahepa Family.”
The applicant must be a child of a member of District 20 Order of Ahepa or Daughters of Penelope. Parents must be residents of District 20. District 20 encompasses the state of Utah, Arizona, part of Nevada and Southern California. The applications must be submitted by March 1, 2006. If you have an interest please contact the Church office or any Ahepan or Daughter of Penelope member.
This year the principle fund grew to $342,000 which produced interest of $18,000 which was distributed to our youth.
Our Ahepa Fall Glendi was held on November 5, 2005 and we hope that all of you who attended had a joyful night of friendship and fun. The monies generated from this event are used to support various youth and other programs which support Greek Heritage and Hellenic Values and the many avenues of Ahepan Philanthropy

If you have an interest in our work we encourage you to join us. You do not have to be of Greek decent. We are looking for those that have an interest in our work, and a desire to be with a motivated, goal-orientated team. Just call the Church office or contact any member of the Ahepa.
We wish you a wonderful month and We Thank You for Your Support.
James Brown, President.