January 8, 2013. Pennsauken, NJ. And the coin goes to… WW II Veteran, Apostolos Saffos! Congratulations Apostoli.

Last night in Pennsauken New Jersey at the Pan Icarian house, the Philadelphia Hellenic Federation meeting took place. A full cast of members from across the community, representing many of it’s organizations gathered for the new year. Following a meal and the Vasilopita cutting, they got down to business.

Headlining the evening were two main topics, the annual Independence Day parade and this Saturday nights concert. While the parade was given much attention in the opening hour, all the members seemed to perk up and focus on the needs of what is likely to be a memorable event in the history of the Philadelphia Greek community and especially involving “Federation of Hellenic American Societies”.

“The Victims of Hurricane Sandy Concert” is set to take place at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church in Upper Darby this Saturday. “ALL” funds raised this weekend will go to “THE HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF FUND” said Hellenic Federation President Dimitris Rozanidis.

The account has been set up by the METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY and distribution will be maintained by The Metropolis Philoptochos President, Ann Michaels and her staff. They will distribute all funds and aid into the New jersey and New York areas.

Rozanidis went on to say, that if anyone would like to make a donation this weekend to “THE HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF FUND” to please send in your checks to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church. Please make them out to the Hellenic Federation of Philadelphia “(FHAS)”. Send your check to: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church, 229 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, Pa. 19082.

Rozanidis added, that “this Saturday evening, the Philadelphia community will have the focus of the national Greek American community on it”, as it leads the efforts to help it’s fellow Hellene’s in recovery with this one time concert. The Hurricane Sandy disaster has received much attention, especially as of late. Relief efforts have been extremely slow and political dodging by the Federal government has brought on much harsh criticism from the media and nation.

For more information about the concert, please visit Cosmos Philly online and read here: Hurricane Sandy Dinner Dance.

An enthusiastic crowed of leaders then began to inquire on event details for some time before moving on to local matters. With winter firmly at hand and spring just around the corner, local society chapter presidents and representatives of the Philadelphia Hellenic Federation stood up and announced their annual events. Some of which overlapped, bringing to the attention of it’s attendees the concept of a community calendar to help keep order of the mainy various Greek events coming in the following months. Several of it’s youth members then announced and volunteered building a facebook page and google calender that would help serve the Federation, which was welcomed by cheers and clapping.

The federation meeting concluded shortly after hugs and well wishes for the coming new year took place. For those interested in the Federation and it’s efforts, you can visit them online, here: FEDERATION OF HELLENIC AMERICAN SOCIETIES.