The Hellenic Foundation, one of the most prominent Greek-American charitable entities, will hold its annual award banquet online this year due to coronavirus restrictions. But the gala celebration, slated for the evening of Tuesday, December 15, can be enjoyed by one and all from the comfort of their own home.
The awards, which celebrate the accomplishments of the recipients of Hellenic Foundation grants, will recognize the endeavors of Chicago’s Hellenic and pan-Orthodox organizations.
The Honorable Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos will host this year’s event, which will feature a special appearance from His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago and cameos from local celebrities Lou Canellis of FOX 32 News, Jane Monzures Clauss of WGN-TV, Anna Davlantes of WGN Radio, Melina Kanakaredes from the hit show “Providence”, and others.
Since the establishment of the Hellenic Foundation grant program in 2016, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 million to programs, projects and organizations that serve the Chicago area’s Greek and pan-Orthodox community.
“Our value is greater than ourselves,” said Peter E. Valessares, Executive Director at the Hellenic Foundation. “Our impact is a result of how these programs and the community have benefited from the work of all the organizations that we have helped.”
This year’s celebration will feature the endeavors of the following organizations: Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, Saint Iakovos Retreat Center, PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation, National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament (NHIBT), National Hellenic Museum, Hellenic Legal Assistance Services (Hel.LAS), Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Society, and the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Center.
During the gala evening, the Hellenic Foundation will also highlight this year’s grant recipients and their 2021 initiatives. This year’s recipients include the 13th District Order of AHEPA Scholarship Foundation, The American Farm School, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Kankakee, and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Other organizations include the Asia Minor and Pontos Hellenic Research Center, Daughters of Penelope 13th District Scholarship Foundation, Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre, Hellenic Link-Midwest, Orthodox Vocation and Ministry Services, PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation, Saint Iakovos Retreat Center, and Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church of Glenview.
To register for this free online event, please visit www.hellenicfoundation.org/annual-grant-awards and tune in via the Hellenic Foundation’s YouTube channel or Facebook page.
The Hellenic Foundation is a 501©3 organization whose mission is to fund the development and support of programs and projects benefiting the Greek American and Orthodox Christian communities in the Chicagoland area. Their services address the needs of elderly, youth, and families of the community.
For more information about the Hellenic Foundation, please visit www.hellenicfoundation.org. For more information about the 2020 Annual Grant Awards please contact Peter E. Valessares, Executive Director, at pvalessares@hellenicfoundation.org | 773-551-2300
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