Chapter 24 History
AHEPA "24" is the number of the AHEPA Athens 24 Chapter in Boston, MA constituted on September 24, 1923. It is the 24th Chapter of the order and family of AHEPA and was founded a little over a year since the original creation of the Order in 1922. It has a proud history.
The third Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA was also our first Chapter President, Brother George Demeter. George Demeter was a great parliamentarian who served two terms in the House of Representatives as the founder of the Hellenic Association of Boston. Brother George is the author of Demeter's Parliamentary Rules of Order that is still currently used by AHEPA, our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and up till a few years ago many towns across the United States.
The Boston Athens Chapter meets in the Metropolis of Boston events center on Goddard Ave in Brookline, MA the second Tuesday of each month. Our chapter is known to be an active contributor to multiple charitable and educational programs in the Greater Boston area. The members of the chapter are known to be very active and close to each other and practicing the AHEPA values in their lives. In 1924, James Kakridas, a member of Boston Athens Chapter 24 said the following at the first banquet of our Boston Chapter:
“For God's sake can we not realize that The AHEPA is a jewel, a priceless gift and our only and greatest asset? We must achieve a big organization -- for our own sake, for our families' sake, for our relatives' sake. Let us live as in one big, happy family, with brothers all over the country! Keep out the dangerous characters, the disobedient, the wicked, the disorderly. Shut out the stubborn and those who are incapable of receiving instruction, light, and knowledge! Let us forget the past! Let us bury this dangerous element -- jealousy! Let us cooperate; let us esteem each other; let us work together and in harmony! If this is done, all of us will live a better life.”
This statement by Brother Kakridas perfectly depicts the spirit of our chapter and the entire AHEPA family.
We also offer charitable and educational support to individuals and our communities.
Some notable programs the Boston Athens Chapter contributes to are:
- The AHEPA Charitable and Educational Corporation; AHEPA District 8 of Massachusetts has an extensive list of annual educational and Athletic scholarships and awards. The Boston Athens Chapter contributes annually with thousands of dollars’ worth of contributions.
- Veteran Programs such as Wreath Laying Ceremonies and the newly established AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors Program that has raised over half a million dollars since its inception. The Boston Chapter has been an avid supporter of the program and has already fully funded the purchase of a service dog. For more information, please visit ahepa-servicedogs.org.