635 and Counting

Congratulations and huge thanks to the tremendously generous Charlie and Felicia Antonopoulos, our Antonios Kounalakis Award winners for June 2022! They serve their community quietly and consistently, inspiring others to follow their lead.

For four decades, Charlie and Felicia Antonopoulos operated a neighborhood variety store, welcoming all community members into their shop with open arms and inclusively promoting both the activities of Haverhill's Greek community and those of other ethnic communities throughout the city. The husband-and-wife dream team are active participants of AHEPA Chapter 39 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. According to their nominator, Charlie and Felicia "remain humble," providing service to the community "without much fanfare," and although they are now retired they "continue as active members of AHEPA Chapter 39 with the same drive they had as business owners."

Back in 2007, Charlie and Felicia presented to their fellow AHEPA members the idea of creating Christmas baskets for elderly community members living alone as well as those unable to leave their homes. In the fifteen years since, AHEPA Chapter 39 members have prepared and delivered more than 635 baskets. That's right: more than 635! Charlie and Felicia diligently lead the charge each year, ordering and preparing all supplies themselves with voluntary monetary donations from their fellow AHEPA members. Their nominator said, "This program would NOT happen without them."

In addition to spearheading the creation and delivery of hundreds of Christmas baskets to increase connection and spread cheer throughout Haverhill, Charlie and Felicia have also facilitated donations of blankets, hats, and other items to military veterans and people facing financial and housing hardships in their city.

THANK YOU for your tireless contributions to the community, Charlie and Felicia! We are grateful for your good works. Your actions make a huge difference not only for those you serve but for those who serve alongside you and for all of us who have been and continue to be inspired by your boundless generosity.