National Hellenic Museum Raises Over $925,000 at 2023 Gala

The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) raised over $925,000 this past weekend at its 2023 Gala, in support of its mission to share Greek history, art, culture and the Greek-American story.

NHM Chairman John P. Calamos, Sr. and NHM Gala Chairman Mike Manatos were joined by more than 500 civic and cultural leaders and philhellenes from across the country at the festive black-tie optional event on Saturday, September 16 at the Marriott Marquis Chicago.

Gala Regional Co-Chairs were Dr. George and Raffaella Bovis, Andrea Darlas, Alex and Kathy Gianaras, and Kenneth and Angela Kondraros.

Distinguished guests at the NHM Gala included Consul General Emmanuel Koubarakis and Consul Georgia Tasiopoulou, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, 34th Ward Alderman Bill Conway, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos and Father Chrysanthos Kerkeres.

Festivities for the Gala weekend kicked off at the National Hellenic Museum on Friday evening with the opening of a major new exhibit, Legacy, Renewal & Unity: Celebrating 100 Years of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which includes the special exhibit Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: Protecting the Future of Faith.

Special remarks were given during the NHM Gala by Demetrios G. Logothetis, Leadership 100 Chair and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Gus Pablecas, National Secretary and Regional Commander of the Metropolis of Chicago of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who were integral to bringing these exhibits to the National Hellenic Museum.

The Legacy, Renewal & Unity exhibit was made possible through a generous grant from Leadership 100 to the Archdiocese’s Centennial Committee, and is on display at NHM through February 11, 2024, as part of the museum’s commitment to the Greek American community.

NHM Gala attendees enjoyed a spectacular dinner and live auction led by auctioneer David Goodman, followed by live music and dancing with the Chris Sarlas Orchestra. Festivities continued late into the evening with Gala After Dark, featuring an energetic performance from DJ Markos as hundreds of guests packed the dance floor.

Lead 2023 NHM Gala sponsors included: Diamond Level sponsors Calamos Investments, John P. Calamos Sr. and John S. Koudounis and The Halikias Family and Republic Bank; Gold Level sponsor Grecian Delight and Peter and Ethel Parthenis; and Silver Level sponsors Eleni and Dimitri Bousis, The Gus Danos Family, Craig J. Duchossois, Dyros Inc. and Kenneth and Angela Kondraros, The Metropoulos Family Foundation, Michael and Robin Psaros, The James A. Regas Family and Georgia Stathis.

The Gala supports the National Hellenic Museum’s mission

The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) has a mission to share Greek history, art, culture and the Greek American story.

NHM preserves the Hellenic legacy and makes this rich heritage relevant today through its extensive collection of more than 10,000 physical artifacts, hundreds of oral histories, exhibitions, educational programs and special events.

Originally founded in 1983 and located in Chicago’s historic Greektown neighborhood since 2011, the museum provides lifelong learning for the community and sparks inquiry and discussion about the broader issues in our lives and society.

Regular museum hours are Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information on current exhibitions and upcoming events, visit the National Hellenic Museum page here.