AHEPA EARNS UNIQUE STAMP OF APPROVAL FROM CANADA

The Canada Post Corporation will officially issue a postage stamp commemorating the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Associations (AHEPA) 75-year history in Canada

Contacts: Andrew Kaffes, 202/232-6300; Ext. 204, akaffes@ahepa.org

Christina Antoniou, 514/340-8222, #4120, chrisantoniou@canada.com

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Canada Post Corporation will officially issue a postage stamp commemorating the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Associations (AHEPA) 75-year history in Canada, March 25, 2003, in Ottawa, announced Supreme President Dr. James F. Dimitriou and Canadian President Lazarus Kalipolidis. The honor will recognize the organizations long-standing philanthropic, civic and educational activities.

We are excited about this unique tribute and we are equally proud of the AHEPA family of Canada. This wonderful accomplishment is a reflection upon their hard work and service to the community, and it is a triumph for Canadian citizens of Hellenic descent," said Dr. Dimitriou.

In recognition of the stamps release, a very special unveiling ceremony and banquet will be held on March 25, in the West Block of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.

It is the first time in Canada Post's history that a commemorative stamp is issued recognizing a Hellenic organization in Canada," said Eleni Bakopanos, Member of Parliament and Assistant Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, following the announcement from Canada Post. This is an honor not only for AHEPA but also for the Hellenic-Canadian community at large, that is, all of us."

Canadian President Kalipolidis credited Bakopanos, who is a member of the Montreal Daughters of Penelope chapter; AHEPA District 23 Governor Frank Antoniou, and Past Canadian President Xenophon Scoufaras for the success of this noteworthy initiative.

We are grateful to the Canadian Government and thankful for the hard work of Member of Parliament Eleni Bakopanos," said Kalipolidis. This ambitious accomplishment could not have been possible with her support and the
dedication our AHEPA leaders in Canada."

AHEPA is the largest and oldest Greek-American association in the world with 523 chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek-Americans to protect Greek immigrants from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA has joined with the NAACP and Bnai Brith to fight discrimination. Moreover, it was founded to help Greek immigrants assimilate into American society.

AHEPA was established in Canada in 1928, and now includes chapters in 14 cities with approximately 2,000 members in the AHEPA family. AHEPA Canada promotes a mutual understanding of Greek and Canadian cultures and encourages members to participate in the civic and philanthropic activities of their communities and country. In Canada, the organization donates more than $300,000 a year toward education and charities at the local, national and international levels.

Please visit www.ahepacanada.org for more information.

The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual
excellence.

The AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena.

For more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300. For instant information visit
www.ahepa.org.

For Information about Attending the Unveiling Ceremony and Banquet:

Lazarus Kalipolidis
President, AHEPA Canada
514/737 9252; Ext. 206
lazarusk@canada.com

Chris Papadopoulos
Canadian President, Daughters of Penelope
905/477-7064
chrispaps53@hotmail.com