Ocean County 467

Instituted: April 27, 1978 

Meetings: Last Tuesday of the Month, 7:30pm

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
2200 Church Rd
Toms River, NJ 08753

June 18, 2017

Toms River AHEPA Brother Onoufrios Kartalis is awarded his 70 year AHEPA Membership plaque by Chapter President Brother Savvas M. Kyriacou, with Brother Fr. Paul Pappas at St. Barbara Church of Toms River on June 18, 2017, Father's Day.

Brother Onoufrios is from Staten Island and in the last several years has been a member of Chapter 467 of Toms River. It was my pleasure and honor to present him with this plaque. He has been an active member and continues to do an outstanding job for AHEPA.

AHEPA Chapter 467 members are very proud of Brother Onoufrios. He is a shining example to all of us. Congratulations Brother Onoufrios!

Fraternally,
Savvas M. Kyriacou
Chapter No. 467 President

The Lou Larres Crowdfunding Campaign

A crowdfunding campaign was initiated to assist one of our own, Toms River AHEPA Chapter Secretary Brother Lou Larres, who receives dialysis treatment three times a week. On April 25th, a surprise presentation organized by the Toms River AHEPA Family in conjunction with the AHEPA and DOP District Lodges and all groups and individuals who donated took place at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church of Toms River, NJ. It was an extremely emotional evening.

Toms River AHEPA Family Benefit Fundraiser

The Toms River AHEPA Family did a superb job as we congratulate them for hosting such a most worthy and wonderful event to raise necessary awareness and funds to support the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors National Program on Saturday, April 22, 2017.

Over 250 supporters attended this benefit fundraiser, which included two post 9/11 warriors with their service dogs, as well as over twenty veterans.

Special guests included Holmdel AHEPA Brother George Karatzia PDG who serves as Chairman of this AHEPA National Project, and Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Zilinski of the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund.

Retired Army Sergeant A. J. Merriefield of Dallas, TX enlightened the audience about PTSD and the devastating effects on our warriors and families.

The event was supported by the following AHEPA Chapters: Toms River, Holmdel, Trenton, New Brunswick, and Jersey City.

AHEPA District 5 Lodge Officers in attendance were the following Brothers: District Warden Bob Fourniadis, and District Athletic Director Asteris Fanikos PDG.

AHEPA Supreme Lodge Board of Trustees Member Brother Lee Millas was also in attendance.

DOP Chapters in attendance were: Toms River, Camden, Trenton, Jersey City, Asbury Park, New Brunswick, and Roseland.

Daughters of Penelope District Lodge Officers in attendance were the following Sisters: District Governor Isa Velez, District Lt. Governor Dina Fanikos, District Secretary Joann Szela, District Marshall Pattie Chrysostom, and District Lodge and MOA Advisor Karen Knicos PDG.

Fifth District AHEPA Governor Brother George N. Petrakakis was unable to attend due to recent surgery. Brother George promoted the Toms River AHEPA Family Benefit Comedy Night and was with us in spirit that evening.

Yours in Theta Pi, Karen Marousis PDG. President Toms River DOP

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Event chairpersons Toms River DOP President Sister Karen Marousis PDG, Toms River AHEPA Chapter President Brother Savvas Kyriacou, Toms River AHEPA Brother Steve Christ and their committee worked tirelessly to ensure a memorable evening for all. Job well done! AXIOS!

Fraternally, George N. Petrakakis AHEPA District 5 Governor

Ocean County AHEPA Family News

The Toms River AHEPA Family visited The Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, known as The Valerie Center (https://www.thevaleriefund.org/index.php) on April 4, 2017.

Toms River AHEPA Chapter President Brother Savvas Kyriacou, on behalf of the Ocean County AHEPA Chapter #467; presented a donation to Susan Dulczak RN and Clinical Director, and Social Worker Maria Dolan, both on staff at The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Center (http://www.barnabashealth.org/The-Unterberg-Childrens-Hospital-at-Monmouth-Med.aspx) following a tour of the facility.

The funds are earmarked for the respite room planned for parents while their children receive treatment.

November 20, 2012

Superstorm Sandy Relief: Chapter 467 in Action

Toms River, NJ

As Toms River was in the heart of the storm and was the most impacted Church and Chapter, they have been our District's crucial eyes and ears on the ground.

Toms River AHEPA Chapter 467 has worked non-stop providing food, donations, shelter and other necessities to their parishioners, their brothers and the community at large. Immediately following Super-Storm Sandy, they coordinated relief efforts and have been truly instrumental in helping those impacted.

AHEPA's Ocean County Chapter 467 preparing 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners for "Thanksgiving at Saint Barbara" Sandy Relief Effort (Nov. 20, 2012)

Thanksgiving at Saint Barbara (November 20, 2012)

They have opened up their Church and their homes.

Saint Barbara's is being used as a depository for items for the needy that includes cases of water, food, clothing, cleaning supplies and other necessities.

The Saint Barbara community center itself is being used as the school for the Lavallette school district that was devastated. They are providing assistance to the school and to the community in countless ways. They are helping AHEPAns, parishioners and members of the Ocean County community at large regardless of background.

On a daily basis they are getting the donations in the hands of those suffering. They have made countless trips of donations to the various Red Cross shelters in the area and assist first responders. Their donations have been boundless and should be commended as all the volunteers in the State should.

Recently the AHEPA brothers volunteered their time for the "Thanksgiving at Saint Barbara" dinner which was an amazing success. Hundreds of home-cooked turkey dinner with all the trimmings were served along with free clothing and non-perishable groceries of every kind given to all those who have suffered to some degree due to Super-Storm Sandy. Some who tragically lost everything; and some who just lost their feeling of security.

They helped not only members of the Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church but was open to all their neighbors and the surrounding Ocean County community. The brothers cooked enough turkey dinners, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, salads and other items to feed over 1,000 people.

No leftovers were wasted as the brothers then delivered them to different shelters and those impacted.

The community of Saint Barbara also honored the amazing work of the Emergency Personnel who gave everything they had to help others.

Ocean County came together when it counted most!