MANHATTAN, NY — AHEPA Delphi Chapter 25 of Manhattan has collected 257 bags filled with school supplies as part of its annual Community Impact Back-to-School Drive, continuing the chapter’s commitment to giving back to the community and helping local students begin the school year prepared and confident.
The backpacks were distributed on August 29 to the Harriet Tubman Learning Center in Harlem, one of the many NYC Public Schools, where they were provided to students in advance of the new school year.
The drive brought together Delphi 25 members, supporters, and community members who contributed school supplies and purchased items through the chapter’s drive. The result: 257 backpacks for 257 students.
“This is exactly what Community Impact is about,” said Paul Pavlakos, President of AHEPA Delphi 25. “It’s about seeing a need in our community and coming together to do something about it. We’re incredibly proud of what our members and supporters accomplished”, he added.
“At home, we spent Friday nights after work packing highlighters instead of watching movies, and when we moved houses last month, a carload of school supplies was part of our planning. But the hard work pays off when the girls ask when we are «giving bags to other kids»”, Paul Pavlakos stated in a social media post.
“And, yesterday [August 29], we highlighted all our efforts by showing out to PS 154’s Back to School Day (co-hosted by New Design Middle School) and gave out bags first-hand to the kids and their families present. On a beautiful, feels-like-fall day, we saw kids light up the school courtyard with music, food, games, free haircuts. Our Delphi presence was there, our logo depicted on each bag, and our supplies a part of the giveaways to each student”, he continued.
AHEPA Delphi 25 President Pavlakos also had a brief opportunity to speak to New York State Assemblyman Jordan Wright (District 70-Harlem) about growing this initiative and the importance of promoting education.
Pavlakos thanked everyone who donated, contributed, and volunteered for the 2026 Back to School Drive, “an initiative which emphasizes that the “E” in AHEPA is for Education and one that proves philanthropy is the love of ALL people, not just Greek-Americans”.
AHEPA Delphi 25 is a Manhattan-based chapter of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, promoting Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, and individual excellence. The chapter has more than 250 members and has been active in community service initiatives throughout New York City.
The Community Impact Back-to-School Drive is part of Delphi 25’s ongoing philanthropic efforts to support children and families throughout the community.
