Happy Easter and Καλό Πάσχα!
April 2020
Dear Friends,
Happy Easter and Καλό Πάσχα! We wish you and your family a joyous holiday season.
The Board of Directors of the Friends of Cyprus extends its love and support to all of you as we struggle to get through this worldwide pandemic. Our hope is that everyone is safe from coronavirus and staying productive during these difficult times. Our prayers go out to those who are afflicted by this illness and for the healthcare workers on the front lines.
Our focus is, and always will be on the health, safety and welfare of our members, families, friends and communities. Please let us know of any friends or family members who are either in a nursing home, home alone or have been affected by COVID-19 so that Friends of Cyprus can assist in this time of need.
What’s new for 2020?
We formed our 2020 board in early March and are pleased to announce the following board members and their responsibilities:
President: Maria Alberts
Secretary: Harry Antoniou
Treasurer: Marianna Constantinou
Membership: Beatrice Divine
Events: Costa & Maro Neocleous; Chris Michaels
Communications/ Website: Lea Opdyke
Development/ Advisor: Polyxeni Potter
International Night at the Annunciation Day School
We were fortunate to have Cyprus represented during International Night at the Annunciation Day School early this year. Our thanks to Maria Godfrey and Kaliope Kitas for their wonderful display and educational items.
Committee work has started
Our committees have recently been formed. We would like to thank the members of the committees for thinking of ways to boost our organization and help articulate the vision we have. We have begun planning and development a strategy thanks to the leadership of the following committees:
Development – Patricia Coureas (Chair)
Membership – Mary Brown (Chair)
We want to thank those who have volunteered to help with the Development Committee – Julia Lott, Christia Gifford and Lauren Antoniou. Also we want to thank Beatie Divine, Mary Brown and Costa Neocleous for kicking off the Membership committee.
Work will begin soon on Communications and Events committees. We welcome new members to our committees. We are always in need of new skills in these areas. Please contact us at friendsofcyprususa@gmail.com if you are interested in joining any of our committees.
Global Atlanta
The Friends of Cyprus has joined many other international organizations as part of "Global Atlanta". "Global Atlanta" is an exciting way for Friends of Cyprus to join many of Atlanta's international communities by highlighting the people and culture of Cyprus. Our organization looks forward to welcoming many new members who share our passion for celebrating our experiences and love of Cyprus!
Upcoming Community Events
Sadly, the much-anticipated live concert of April 4th with Alkinoos Ioannidis had to be postponed due to social distancing mandates. Since we were not able to see him live and in person performing, I am sharing this link with his music for you to enjoy while you are sheltered at home.
Look for a July 2020 Membership Drive and a Commemoration of the Invasion of Cyprus in July 1974 event.
Our annual Glendi, Celebrate Cyprus, is tentatively scheduled for November 1st at the Carlos Ballroom at the Atlanta cathedral. More information will be forthcoming, including whether this event will need to be postponed due to coronavirus restrictions.
Please check our website at www.friendsofcyprususa.org and Facebook page
@FriendsofCyprusUS regularly for more information and events as well as “Cyprus in the News”. We will continue to update our FaceBook page and website with new relevant information about future Friends of Cyprus events later this year as well as notable news stories as they occur.
Become a Member; Make a Donation
It is time to renew your membership to Friends of Cyprus for 2020. We would love to add new members to Friends of Cyprus as we develop programs and events sharing the cultural exchange between Cyprus and the United States and allow us to connect with one another.
There are individual, family memberships (maximum 4 family members) and several donation levels. Visit our website at www.friendsofcyprususa.org, complete the membership form and pay through the Paypal link. You can also download the form and mail your check to us. Our address is:
Friends of Cyprus
981 Monroe Drive, A102-Box 269
Atlanta, GA 30308
If you became a member during the Celebrate Cyprus event last November, your membership is valid through 2020.
We welcome and thank you for your participation and suggestions. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us through our email, friendsofcyprususa@gmail.com.
Best Wishes from the Friends of Cyprus Board of Directors