History and Background

AHEPA Palmetto Chapter 284 was chartered by the Supreme Lodge of AHEPA on June 8, 1931. The group was organized in response to the strong desire of a number of Greek Americans to support the national AHEPA organization founded nine years earlier in Atlanta, Georgia. The chapter’s mission, modeled on the national organization, is to promote Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence. They believed that by working together toward these ideals they could help assimilate Greek Americans into American society, and create an awareness of the principles of Hellenism to people outside the Greek-American community. Although a majority of the membership is composed of Americans of Greek descent, application for membership is open to all men who share the goals of AHEPA.
 

The original Columbia chapter was initiated on June 8, 1931.  After a period of inactivity, Brother Charles Sofas reactivated the Chapter in October of 1960.  Chapter 284 has since maintained 540 consecutive monthly meetings for the last 43 years.  In that time, the Palmetto Chapter has continued to grow and establish itself as a leader in the AHEPA family. 
 

The chapter and its members have made outstanding contributions to the Greater Columbia metropolitan region, the Hellenic community, the Greek Orthodox Church, and to the Theological Seminary. Highlights include:

• The construction of two AHEPA homes for the elderly in the greater Columbia area

• The donation of seven volume sets of the Greek classics to the Richland County Public Library, Columbia College, Fort Jackson Library, University of South Carolina, A.C. Flora High School, and the Brookland Theological Seminary.

• Creation of the Daniel Kavadas and George Boukedes Scholarship Foundations Substantial contributions to Columbia’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and its building fund 

• Aid to the needy, local orphanages, and the Speech and Hearing clinic.

AHEPA CREED

We Americans of Hellenic origin have formed and are now actively perpetuating a fraternal Order, non-partisan in politics and non-sectarian in religion, the members of which:

1. Promote loyalty to the United States of America;
2. respect the inalienable rights of mankind;
3. strive for the betterment of society;
4. abhor all political corruption;
5. defend and protect all oppressed people everywhere;
6. cultivate the noblest attributes and highest ideals of true Hellenism;
7. labor for the perfection of a moral sense, the sprit of altruism and true benevolence;
8. champion the cause of Education;
9. love God and man; and
10. hope for happiness

Leadership

The 2007-2008 Officers for AHEPA Palmetto Chapter 284:

President - Nick Stefan
Vice President -  John Zourzoukis

Treasurer - John Metropol
Secretary - Mike Geronimakis

Chaplain - Fr. Peter Telencio

Committee Heads

Hellenism - John Kratsios
Education - Roy Alexander
Philanthropy - Ilia Houlis
Civic Responsibility - Joe Azar
Family & Individual Excellence- Paul Tsalapatis
Investment - George Bybee
Auditing - Mark Hobbs

Membership - Likie Beleos

Board of Governors:
 

Foundation Heads:

George A. Boukedes Scholarship Foundation - Steve Bitzas 

Chairmen of Dr. Daniel S. Kavadas Scholarship Foundation - George Bybee

AHEPA Foundation 501 (c) (3) - Steve Bitzas

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