Cherry Hill, NJ – Fundraising efforts for the St. Nicholas Shrine in New York, at the World Trade Center were hosted last night at Kaminski’s Bar and Grill. AHEPA chapter 69, Camden, hosted the affair that raised some $15,000.

A Ground Blessing ceremony for the St. Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center took place this past October. The small Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas, which was established in 1916, was completely obliterated on September 11, 2001 when the South Tower fell. The new Saint Nicholas National Shrine will be rebuilt only a short distance away at 130 Liberty Street, overlooking the 9/11 Memorial.

Guests and donors of the evening shared Cuban cigars and Brandy supplied by Fedway’s, Kevin Loser (Master of Whisky). Throughout the evening, tasting and conversation about the new construction of the shrine filled the air. President George Pappas of chapter 69, Camden, said that the organizational efforts were a first of many to help raise the 38 million dollars that will be needed to accomplish the monumental project.