|
|
|
|
|
|
Evrytanian
Association of America 
"
VELOUCHI "
|
|
|
|
The
Founding of the Association
A few Evrytanians with love and patriotism in
their hearts met on 23 October 1944 in Charlotte, NC, and made the
decision to organize the Evrytanian Association of America, naming
it the "Velouchi" --- which is the tallest mountain
located in Evrytania, Greece. The initial goal was to
galvanize Evrytanians located in the United States of America to
assist their mother countrymen in reconstructing their lives from
the desecration of WWII. The founders held their first
convention bringing together 136 members in 1945.
In 1973, the Association established four chapters
representing the communities of:
 |
Florence, SC
|
|
Fayetteville, NC
|
|
Winston-Salem, NC
|
|
Charlotte, NC
|
Presently, there are seventeen chapters with over
1200 members working on a localized basis to achieve the Goals of
the Association.
Goals
In time, the Association's mission was broadened
to include the preservation of heritage by strengthening ties
among the members. The Association's efforts fill
philanthropic, educational, patriotic, social, and cultural goals
by:
|
expanding established activities/projects,
increasing
|
|
increasing its membership/chapters
|
|
supporting the Evrytanian Youth with
scholarships in the United States and abroad.
|
Accomplishments
Accomplished Goals include the following:
|
The initial transport of greatly needed
medicines and clothing to Evrytania through the Greek War
Relief effort in 1945.
|
|
Funded the hospital in Karpenisi, capital
of Evrytania, dedicating it in 1953.
|
|
Established a boarding house for high
school students in the village of Kerasohori.
|
|
Established a student lunch program in
Evrytania in 1956.
|
|
Began, in 1961, granting scholarships
annually to students in both the United States and in
Evrytania.
|
|
Began publishing the quarterly VELOUCHI
Bulletin in 1946.
|
|
Financially initiated and promoted the
construction of a Gerokomeio (Home for the Aged) in
Karpenisi, which lead the Greek Government to undertake
the project and expand it, completing and dedicating it in
1992.
|
|
Financially supported the "traveling
doctors" team providing medical care to remote
villages of Evrytania.
|
|
Established the "Children with
Special Needs" project in 1997, which provides
monthly financial assistance to the families of physically
and mentally handicapped children.
|
Financial
Resources
The financial strength of the Association comes
from dues of its members, fundraising projects, the Evrytanian
Foundation, real-estate assets, interest and dividends from
bequests such as the John Nitsios and Marianthi
Stefanis endowments.
The establishment of the Evrytanian Foundation was
made possible from the great benefactor, Maria M.
Tsiamtsouris, whose bequest was directed to poor children
of Evrytania. Today it provides a permanent fund to which
gifts can be made, the interest from the principal of which is to
be used for charitable, educational, civic, and religious
purposes.
The
Golden Anniversary Convention
During the Association's 50th Anniversary
Convention held in its birthplace, Charlotte, North Carolina, 23rd
through the 26th June 1994, special recognitions were made
honoring the Founding Fathers, the past Natioonal Presidents, the
Daughters of Evrytania, and the Youth of Evrytania. Service
awards were presented to a number of persons for their lifelong
contributions to the causes of the Association.
To document the first 50 years of the Evrytanian
Association, a commemorative album (lefkoma) was published.
The previous lefkoma was published in the 1960's. There have
been four lefkomata during the lifetime of the Association.
This web-site will allow members to document their
family histories to share within the Association's membership.
Awards /
Recognitions
The Great Cross of
Our Savior, bestowed to the Association by the
Greek Government for establishing the hospital in Karpenisi.
Academy of Athens
Award, presented in 1985 in recognition of the
Association's philanthropies.
The Velouchi
Bulletin was recognized in Rome in the mid
1970's as one of the best publications of philanthropic
organizations.
The
Daughters of Evrytania
The Daughters of Evrytania were organized in 1947
by the wives of the founders are referred to as the "right
hand of the Evrytanian Association." Highlights of the
Daughters' accomplishments include:
|
Supporting the Hospital and Gerokomio
projects in Karpenisi.
|
|
Establishing a dowry program for
poverty-stricken girls.
|
|
Providing scholarships for deserving
Evrytanian women.
|
|
Sending financial aid and supplies
to elementary schools in Evrytania.
|
|
Adopting a child from the "Children
with Special Needs" program.
|
|
The Fotini Pappas Dental Fund, the
interest of which goes to indigent females in need of
critical dental care in Evrytania.
|
|
Annual financial support of a future
Evrytanian Retirement Center in America.
|
|
Annual donations to the Hellenic
College/Holy Cross Theological Seminary Library.
|
|
The ability to respond financially and
morally to emergency Philanthropic situations as they
arise.
|
The
Evrytanian Young Adults
The Evrytanian Young Adults have been active
within the Association since the 1970s and were formally organized
in 1991 at the Convention in Roanoke, Virginia. Their
purpose and vision is the preservation of the culture, faith,
history, customs, and ancestral ties to Evrytania. By
maintaining a connection to their roots, the Youth are prepare to
become future leaders and active participants of the Evrytanian
Association. Present projects include:
|
The design of a web-site for the
Association.
|
|
The organization of the Evrytanian Youth
within chapters.
|
|
Utilizing the internet to maintain global
contact with each other.
|
|
Sponsorship of an annual Youth Retreat
Camp for a weekend of fun, cultural, and Evrytanian
heritage exchange for younger Evrytanian children.
|
|
Designing a program of activities
for youth at each annual convention, including:
basketball and volleyball tournaments,
dance
exhibitions,
excursions,
entertainment, and
meetings.
|
|
Organizing social events throughout the
year for youth, including:
picnics,
ski
trips,
folk-dance
workshops, and
parties.
|
How Can I
Become Active?
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the
efficient operation of the Association's business. It sees
to the faithful execution of the General Assembly's decisions
through its standing and special committees. These
committees are:
|
Scholarship
|
|
Constitution and By-Laws
|
|
Press and Information
|
|
Membership and Subscription
|
|
Grievances and Disputes
|
|
Charlotte Property
|
|
Scholarship Raffle
|
|
Evrytanian Young Adults
|
|
Mutual Interest and Altruism
|
|
Advisory
|
|
Chapter Visitations
|
|
Nominating
|
|
Financial Advisory
|
|
Public Relations
|
Special committees are often appointed, such as
the important:
|
Children with Special Needs,
|
|
Families with Special Needs, and
|
|
Scholarship Endowment
|
for specific projects.
Volunteerism and members' moral and financial
support are the lifeblood of the Association. Members can be
"
At-large" or join a nearby chapter.
Members are encouraged to serve on committees on the Local and/or
National level by sharing with their fellow brothers and sisters
the time, talents, and treasures given them by God.
|
|
|
|
