AHEPA Receives Major Gift from E. John & Cleo Rumpakis

WASHINGTON, DC –  The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA) is elated to be the recipient of a $100,000 gift from E. John and Cleo Rumpakis of Portland, Oregon, announced Supreme President George E. Loucas.

The donation, made in October 2018, officially launches AHEPA’s “Century Capital Campaign” – a development campaign to raise $6 million by the organization’s 100th anniversary in 2022.  For their generous donation, the lobby of AHEPA’s Global Headquarters will be dedicated and named in honor of E. John and Cleo Rumpakis.

E. John is a Past Supreme Governor and a Past President of Mount Hood Chapter 154, Portland.  He also has served on AHEPA’s Cyprus & Hellenic Affairs Committee.  In March 2010, then-Supreme President Nicholas Karacostas presented him with the Supreme President’s “Award for Excellence in the Preservation and Promotion of Hellenism” at AHEPA’s Western Regional Banquet.  He has been a benefactor of Hellenic Classics for:  Portland State University, University of Washington, University of Portland, Reed College, and most recently, Willamette University.   Former Oregon Governors John Kitzhaber and Ted Kulongoski appointed E. John to Oregon’s Heritage Commission, where he served for a decade.  He is a Realtor Emeritus, a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and a member of the American Hellenic Institute and Leadership 100.

Cleo, a member of Daughters of Penelope Troy Chapter 32, is a DOP Past District 22 Governor and DOP Past Grand Governor.  She recently authored Hellenic Tour USA, a guide book of the Greek American experience covering all 50 states beginning in the year of 1528.

“We are deeply grateful to E. John and Cleo Rumpakis for their unselfish gift to our capital campaign,” Supreme President Loucas said. “The Rumpakises have been extraordinary leaders of the American Hellenic community and continue to set an outstanding example for all to emulate.  Thanks to their kindness, we are confident our ambitious capital campaign will be a success.”

“For nearly 100 years, the Order of AHEPA has upheld Hellenic ideals, fostered good citizenship and Brotherhood, and given back admirably to our communities through service, volunteerism, and financial contributions,” E. John Rumpakis said. “We are proud members of the AHEPA family, and it is our earnest wish for it to continue to meet its worthy mission for the next century.”

Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.   AHEPA’s mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.  For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.