NEW YORK – The Hellenic Initiative (THI) 5th Annual Gala benefitting crisis relief, entrepreneurship and economic development for the people of Greece took place on September 29 at the New York Hilton Midtown. The event honored UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Marianna V. Vardinoyannis and the “ELPIDA Friends’ Association of Children with cancer” with the Hellenic Leadership Award.
Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis is the founder and president of the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation,” of the “ELPIDA Friends’ Association of Children with cancer,” and of the “ORAMA ELPIDAS” Association. The Libra Group was also recognized, not only for its contribution to THI, but also for the support services it provides to start-ups through the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award.
Video by TNH/COSTAS BEJ.
Sakis Rouvas, the Messenger of the “ELPIDA” Association and “ORAMA ELPIDAS” Association, served as Master of Ceremonies and also performed exclusively at the Gala. He noted that the event celebrates all the best of the Greek community and THI’s efforts to rebuild our patrida (homeland) in the spirit of philotimo.
THI President George P. Stamas offered welcoming remarks at the event noting that 900 people were in attendance at the New York gala. THI galas, Stamas pointed out, are now all over the world, including London, Sydney, Athens, Montreal, and soon Geneva, Switzerland.
The Diaspora from around the world and Philhellenes are sending a message that the people of Greece are not alone, “we celebrate what brings us together… philotimo and philanthropy” as the descendants of a great tradition. Referring to THI’s mission, he noted that “we know the importance of giving back” and “standing on one’s own two feet.” Stamas thanked all those in attendance for sharing THI’s vision.
Hi Eminence Archbishop Demetrios gave the invocation and then spoke briefly about the letters THI in reverse (IHT) which were an early Christian way of writing Jesus Chirst with the T symbolizing the cross. Archbishop Demetrios referred to St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians about the work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of faith demonstrated by Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis and ELPIDA which she founded.
A video presentation highlighted the remarkable philanthropic work of the honoree. In her speech, Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis noted that she accepted the award with deep emotion and honor since it comes from the Hellenic Diaspora, from values born in Greece that characterize Greek culture, democracy, human rights, philotimo, and the hope for a better world. She highlighted the importance of solidarity to help the vision and dreams become a reality for all as they did for those who have achieved so much in the Diaspora. Accepting the award on behalf of ELPIDA, Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis said that the life of even one child is worth fighting for, noting the incredible hope, strength, and patience of the children fighting cancer who are an inspiration with their great courage. She encouraged everyone to never forget their country, quoting Greek poet Odysseas Elytis.
As the president of “ELPIDA Friends’ Association of Children with cancer” for more than 25 years, Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannisis fighting against childhood cancer. She has established the first pediatric bone marrow transplant unit in Greece, thanks to which more than 900 children from Greece and neighboring countries have been saved to date, she has founded the first oncology pediatric hospital where thousands of children receive advanced medical anticancer treatment every day and the “ORAMA ELPIDAS” Registry of bone marrow donor volunteers in Greece, and undertook a number of initiatives to help sick children and their families.
John S. Koudounis- CEO of Calamos Investments, presented the award to the Libra Group. Accepting the award, Jimmy Athanasopoulos, Head of Social Responsibility for Libra Group pointed out the importance of supporting entrepreneurship in Greece as an essential part of economic recovery. He also noted that the 19 winners of the 2017 Entrepreneurship Awards were present at the gala and the audience gave them an enthusiastic round of applause.
Michael Psaros- Gala Co-Chair and Co-founder and Managing Partner of KPS Capital Partners, LP, offered a special presentation to George Fertitta- CEO of Bloomberg Associates for their efforts with the Athens Partnership. Psaros observed the remarkable growth of THI in just five years, with 900 people were present at the gala and 300 on the waiting list. An all expense paid trip to Greece was raffled off at the event. THI Board of Directors Executive Committee member and Gala Co-Chair Andrew N. Liveris gave the closing remarks before the evening’s entertainment which was provided by Rouvas and the Jimmy Vali Band.
Among those present at the event, were the Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras, Ambassador Vasilios Philippou- Consul General of Cyprus in New York, Ambassador Andrew Jacovides, Andy Manatos and his son Mike Manatos, Libra Group Chairman and CEO George Logothetis and his wife Nitzia, New York State Senator Michael Gianaris, candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis, Assemblymember and New York City Mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis, John Metaxas, celebrity chef Maria Loi, Taso and Maria Pardalis, The National Herald Publisher-Editor Antonis H. Diamataris, his wife Litsa and their children Eraklis and Vanessa, and as Rouvas said, “the best of the best of the Greek community.”
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