NEW JERSEY – The Cyprus Children’s Fund held its annual testimonial dinner on November 25 this year honoring the former chairman of the organization, Savas Tsivicos, at The Venetian in Garfield, NJ.
The event began with a blessing and prayer led by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. Those present included Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations Ambassador Kornelios Korneliou, Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras and his wife Popita Pavli, and the Consul General of Cyprus in New York Alexis Phedonos-Vadet and his wife Melina.
In his statement to The National Herald, Mr. Tsivicos warmly thanked the Board of Trustees of the Cyprus Children’s Fund for his honorary distinction and expressed his optimism for the continuation of the organization’s sacred work.
“In my 30 years of service to the Fund, 12 of which I served as president, we managed to create a large charity program that provides financial assistance to 400 children in Cyprus on a monthly basis,” Tsivicos said, adding that “every year we give about $65,000 in student scholarships. Wherever there is a need in Cyprus, Greece, America, we are always there to help.”
Current President of the organization, Nicos Zittis, also spoke with TNH and congratulated Tsivicos for his significant honor and thanked him for his great contribution.
“Our organization was founded in 1974 by Archbishop Makarios to help the victims of the Turkish invasion,” Mr. Zittis said. “Since then, the support and contribution of the Hellenes abroad is truly admirable and we thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.”
Scholarship Committee Chairman Charles Anastasiou said that since the founding of the fund, more than $1 million have been awarded in student scholarships.
First Vice-President of the organization Andrew C. Zachariades thanked the guests who attended to the event, as well as all the donors and sponsors.
The Consul General of Cyprus Alexis Phedonos-Vadet described Savas Tsivicos as a model of honesty, morality, and integrity who has a deep love for Cyprus and Hellenism.
The Consul General of Greece Konstantinos Koutras praised Mr. Tsivicos’ character and his contribution to the Hellenes abroad.
The First Lady of Cyprus, Andri Anastasiades, thanked everyone who contributed to the Cyprus Children’s Fund’s amazing social and philanthropic work. She also prayed that the new generation of Greek-Cypriots in the United States will follow the example of Savas Tsivicos.
President of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations Kyriakos Papastylianou said that Savas Tsivicos has devoted his life to promoting national affairs and that he deserves every honor and distinction.
“I congratulate [Mr. Tsivicos] for his dedication to the ideals of freedom. As U.S. citizens, we have a duty to protect the children of Cyprus,” said PSEKA (Justice for Cyprus) President Philip Christopher.
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