Anchor of Hope Diaper Bank was one of three recipients of donations from the AHEPA Haverhill Foundation last Monday at AHEPA 39 Apartments. From left to right are George Demistihaus. AHEPA Foundation secretary; Dr. Byron Chopas, AHEPA Foundation president; Claire Hailson, Anchor of Hope president and CEO; and E. Philip Brown AHEPA Foundation vice president.
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) Haverhill Foundation presented donations this past Monday to The Steve Lyons Fund, Anchor of Hope Diaper Bank and Haverhill Inner-City Boxing.
George Demistihaus. AHEPA Foundation secretary; Ruby Lyons, Steve Lyons Fund general manager; Dr. Byron Chopas. AHEPA Foundation president; and Mike Turner, Steve Lyons Fund vice president.
The Steve Lyons Fund, whose mission is to support youth and the arts in Greater Haverhill, received $500. The organization honors Steven William Lyons, 23, described as “a free spirit with a gift for bringing people together.” Lyons died in 2007. Each year, the Steve Lyons Fund throws an all-day, outdoor music and arts festival — the Rock Out! Cookout. Proceeds from the event are donated to deserving groups that support youth and the arts. This year, the cookout takes place Saturday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Winnekenni Castle, 347 Kenoza Ave.
Accepting the donation were Ruby Lyons, Steve Lyons Fund general manager, and Mike Turner, vice president.
Anchor of Hope Diaper Bank, providing free diapers to families in need through existing agencies and organizations, received $400. The organization says families should not lack the basic essentials to maintain health and wellbeing. By partnering with other agencies, it reaches more families than they would otherwise. Accepting the donation was Claire Hailson, Anchor of Hope president and CEO.
George Demistihaus AHEPA Foundation secretary; Dr. Byron Chopas, AHEPA Foundation president; Joe Ferguson, Haverhill Inner-City Boxing; and E. Philip Brown, AHEPA Foundation vice president.
Haverhill Inner-City Boxing, which continues the work of the original Haverhill Boxing Club dating back to the late 1980s, received $300. Accepting the donation was Joe Ferguson.
Donations were presented at AHEPA 39 apartments, a 54-unit affordable senior housing complex on the site of the former Hale Hospital, 40 Buttonwoods Ave. The apartments opened in 1996.
AHEPA traces its roots back to 1922 when the organization was founded to respond to bigotry and racism spreading through American society and help Greek immigrants assimilate into society. AHEPA Acropolis Chapter 39 Fraternal Organization is the local branch.
AHEPA 39 returns money to local charities through the AHEPA National Housing Corporation grants program and the independent AHEPA Haverhill Foundation return money to various community organizations.