NEW YORK, NY – [Photos by HRF]
The Hellenic Relief Foundation (HRF) marked fifteen years of humanitarian service with an anniversary dinner on Sunday, October 11, at the Graycliff in New Jersey. Clergy, diplomats, community leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate the Foundation’s work and to honor the AHEPA Family.
Since its founding, HRF has provided food, clothing and essential support to families and individuals in need in Greece, relying on the generosity of the Greek-American community and its partners.
Savas Tsivicos, Event Chairman, Past Supreme President and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of AHEPA, recalled how the partnership began. Philippos Vogis-Vogiatzoglou invited him to take part in an HRF food delivery in Athens, where Tsivicos saw firsthand the work being done for those in need. Moved by the experience, he asked AHEPA Hellas to join the effort. Because of that collaboration, substantial help in food, clothing and other essential items continues to reach the vulnerable people HRF serves.
“Hellenism is not only something we inherit; it is something we live by,” Tsivicos said.
Maria Siourdi, Head Volunteer of HRF’s Athens office, addressed the gathering by video, highlighting the dedicate work of all the volunteers of Elliniki Ethelontiki Symparastasi (ΕΛΕΘΣΥ), the organization that represents HRF in Greece.
Master of Ceremonies Stelios Taketzis spoke about what he described as “the miracle of the omogeneia”. “It is the synergy of our organizations”, he said. “When we work together, the result is greater than the sum of our individual efforts”.
Awards were presented to Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, AHEPA Supreme Vice President; Anastasios Moussas, AHEPA Canada President; Savas Tsivicos, Past AHEPA Supreme President and Vice Chair of the AHEPA Board of Trustees; and Maria Siourdi, Head Volunteer, HRF’s Athens Office whose award was accepted on her behalf by Prokopis Zervas. A plaque of appreciation was also presented to Tony Papamarkou, owner of Graycliff Fine Catering, in recognition of his hospitality and support.
Congratulating HRF on its accomplishments, Anastasios Moussas announced a $5,000 donation on behalf of AHEPA Canada. Dr. Panos Stavrianidis pledged an additional $1,000 on behalf of the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey, while many others in attendance also expressed their support through generous contributions.
Among those in attendance were Archimandrite Nektarios Cottros, representing His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey; Kyriakos Pogiatzis, Consul General of Cyprus in New York; Petros Dorizas, Consul of Greece in New York; Fr. Christos Pappas of Ascension Greek Orthodox Church in Fairview, NJ; Dr. Panos Stavrianidis, President of the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey; and Dr. Evangelos Athanasopoulos, the Federation’s Secretary.
Representing the AHEPA Family were Supreme Vice President Dr. Zenon Christodoulou; AHEPA Canada President Anastasios Moussas and his predecessor, Emmanuel Constas; Supreme Governor of Region 3 (NY/NJ/DE), Asteris Fanikos; Past Supreme Governor of Region 3, Philippos Vogis-Vogiatzoglou; District 5 Governor George Perentesis; Lt. Governor John Evans; past Daughters of Penelope Grand President Demi Thomas; and past District Governor Athena Bozerkas.
Also in attendance, representing the Hellenic Relief Foundation Board and Advisors, were Philippos Vogis-Vogiatzoglou, Prokopis Zervas, Dr. Efthymios Daniskas, Stephen Ferranti, Erasmia Zervas-Paschalides, Konstantinos Paschalides, and Master of Ceremonies Stelios Taketzis.
The Stavros Theodorou Orchestra provided live music, and young vocalist Foteini Kakaletri performed the Greek and American national anthems. The evening celebrated both a milestone and a partnership, renewing the commitment of HRF and its supporters to continue serving those in need in the years ahead.
About the Hellenic Relief Foundation
The Hellenic Relief Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 in the State of New York. It raises funds in the United States to purchase food and other basic necessities for the underprivileged in Greece, whose numbers grew sharply during the economic crisis. To date, approximately 58,000 packages of food, clothing and school supplies, valued at around $2.5 million, have been distributed. All aid is given in kind; no money is distributed. The Foundation’s operating expenses in New York are covered by its board members. For more information, visit www.hellenicrelief.org.
