Our Distict hosted the 12th and final Milk-for-Flint drive on June 13, 2023. A heartfelt thank you to our volunteers: DOP District 10 Governor Joanne Dau, John Costa, Laura Costa, Stavros Dionyssopoulos, Serafim Dionyssopoulos, Vasilios Dionyssopoulos, Oscar Hare, Nick Kallis, Mark Kraemer, John Manolis, Chris Michalakis, Lou Pavledes, JoAnne Schultze and Craig Theros. After the Giveaway, Brother Judge Tom Yeotis once again treated all the volunteers to lunch at the White Horse Tavern.
AHEPA District 10 "Milk For Flint" brought in over $40,000 in donations through 193 donors, which purchased twelve trucks over eight years (2016-2023) containing a total 19,872 gallons of milk. It was an extremely successful program and made a significant impact on the residents of Flint. "Milk For Flint" was also very successful for the AHEPA. Over the eight years of the program, hundreds of volunteers from the AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope and the community volunteered their time to make each "Milk Giveaway" a success. As a "Thank You", Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley declared July 16. 2020 "AHEPA Day in the City of Flint". The AHEPA name became well known, not only in the Flint area, but throughout Southeastern Michigan. The program's popularity, more than likely, caused the membership to increase in District 10 during its tenure. AHEPA's District 10 "Milk For Flint" program exemplified the AHEPA mission to the fullest extent, "To promote the ancient ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism."
A heartfelt "Thank You" goes out to all the donors and volunteers throughout the program's duration! We would also like to thank Kim Green (manager) and Pat Coe (former Manager) of Flint Kroger #404, for the coordination of the purchase and all deliveries to the distribution point in downtown Flint. A very special thank you goes out to Flint's Catholic Charities, led by Mary Stevenson, for teaming up with the AHEPA to allow the many AHEPA volunteers to efficiently distribute the milk to the needy Flint residents from their Center for Hope facility. They were very appreciative of our longtime partnership. After the last giveaway, Mary Stevenson writes:
"Thank you for everything! It was an amazing day! Your 12th delivery of milk to Flint resulted in 500 gallons of milk distributed at the event with the remainder being shared by the Pregnancy Help Clinic, Mission of Hope, and Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ. Not only did you provide lead mitigating milk to Flint families, but you assisted in distributing 87 pairs of new shoes to those in need. The event itself welcomed 1123 guests and provided 1002 meals. We will never be able to thank the AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope enough for their kindness and hard work for the families in our community. Bless you all."
Also, on behalf of the AHEPA District 10, I would like to thank the following individuals who recently donated to the "Milk for Flint" program:
Jim Andriotakis
Apostolos & Elena Kerasiotis
Demetra & David Mitropoulos-Rundus
Dr. Mike Syropoulos
As always, 100% of all donations went directly to the purchase of the milk!
