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 its 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 night’s concert. While the parade received 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, especially involving the “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 Rozanitis.
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 to the New Jersey and New York areas.
Rozanitis went on to say that if anyone would like to make a donation this weekend to “THE HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF FUND,” 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.
Rozanitis 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 its fellow Hellenes in recovery with this one-time concert. Hurricane Sandy has received considerable attention, especially lately. Relief efforts have been extremely slow, and the Federal government’s political maneuvering has sparked harsh criticism from the media and the nation.
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 various 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 new year were exchanged.
