L100 Couple Underwrite “Pops Goes Hellenic”
Leadership 100 members George and Caterina Sakellaris of Milton, MA underwrote a first-ever “Pops Goes Hellenic” fundraising concert at Symphony Hall in Boston, Saturday, June 7, to benefit St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Braintree, MA, which opened its new 9,200-square-foot Byzantine-style church in March. The ”Pops Goes Hellenic” concert was the first time in North America that a world-class symphony orchestra performed an entirely Hellenic program. “It was a historic event,” said the Rev. Father Alkiviadis Calivas of St. Catherine’s. “It’s remarkable, unique and something that has never happened before.”
Peter J. Pappas Honored
Peter J. Pappas, long-time member of the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees and Chairman of P.J. Companies, was honored in May by The Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce for his philanthropy and support of Greek and Cypriot causes, the Greek Orthodox Church in American and the Greek and Cypriot American community.
LEADERSHIP 100 RAISES MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR GRANTS FUND
Leadership 100, in response to the current economic crisis and its effect on its Endowment Fund, has raised $1,025,000 in cash and pledges for the Leadership 100 Grant Fund. The special fund was formed by the Executive Committee in October to continue its grant program until such time as the earnings from the Endowment Fund allow the organization to resume grant distributions.
Fulfilled Membership Plaques Erected
The third Leadership 100 fulfilled membership plaque was erected at the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning Resource Center at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, MA.
Panhellenic Scholarships Awarded
The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation awarded 25 of Greek America's "best and brightest" students a total of $250,000 in scholarship grants at an Awards Gala on November 15. Recipients received a Certificate and a check for $10,000 towards their higher education from the Foundation.
Louis Apostol Appointed
Louis G. Apostol, a long-time member of Leadership 100 and formerly Commissioner to the Illinois Court of Claims, has been appointed Executive Director to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board with offices in Chicago, Des Plaines and Springfield, Illinois. He will oversee and direct all residential, commercial, industrial and farmland property tax appeals in the State of Illinois.
Manatos Honored
Andrew Manatos, a long-time member of Leadership 100, who heads a prominent Washington DC lobbying firm, was presented by Archbishop Demetrios of America with the highest honor that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America bestows upon a layperson, the Medal of St. Paul.
Drexel Exhibition
An exhibition at Drexel University in Philadelphia that tells the story of the American response to Greece’s heroic role during World War II, Defenders of Democracy: The American Response to Greece’s role in World War II, features a collection of photographs, memorabilia, ephemera, newspapers, magazines and other items, primarily from the private collection of Greek America magazine publisher Gregory C. Pappas, a member of Leadership 100.
L100 To Meet Challenge To Continue Grants
The Leadership 100 Executive Committee, meeting in New York on October 24, acted in response to the financial crisis gripping the nation and its effect on the organization by temporarily suspending its grant program as required by its regulations in order to preserve the more than $50 million of contributions held inviolate in the Endowment Fund.
New Members Elected To Executive Committee/Board
The Executive Committee and Board of Trustees met at the Harvard Club in New York City October 24, 2008, to address the current financial crisis, review plans for the 25th Anniversary Celebration Conference to take place February 5-8, 2009 in Puerto Rico, to assess progress in the 25th Anniversary National Campaign and to elect members to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.
50 New Members For 25th Anniversary
Leadership 100 members and prospects, 100 in all, celebrated at Kellari’s Parea in the Gramercy Park section of New York City on Friday, October 24, as eight new members joined the organization, putting the 25th Anniversary National Campaign at 50 new members, culminating in a series of membership recruitment meetings in Cleveland, Philadelphia and Boston. Peter J. Pappas, Membership Chairman for the Direct Archdiocesan District and co-owner of the restaurant with James, George and Peter Pantelidis, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
First L100 Regional Fellowship Event Initiated In Washington, DC
Timothy J. Maniatis, well-known member of Leadership 100 who has organized its conferences for more than a decade, organized a luncheon in the Plaza Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton-Washington as the first Leadership 100 Regional Fellowship gathering for the purpose of affording Leadership 100 members an opportunity to become better acquainted.
Karagines Fulfills for Hierarchs
Peter Karagines, a US Navy veteran of both World War II and Korea, who with his best friend built up the country’s largest operators of food catering trucks and vending machines in Southern California, has made an extraordinary gift to Leadership 100 by pledging to fulfill the memberships of both Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco and Bishop Athimos. Peter and his wife, Thelma, are fulfilled members and have belonged to Leadership 100 since 1996. He is an Archon “Maestro” of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a recipient of the Patriarchal Cross and Medal of the Holy Sepulcher of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The Gift Of Giving
Leadership 100 members make their initial gifts, continue their payments and fulfill their pledges in a variety of ways, directly by check or credit card, through stock and even life insurance or, through investment vehicles that otherwise manage their money. A leading proponent of the last method is none other than the Leadership 100 Treasurer, George E. Safiol, who has established the George E. Safiol Foundation, a donor-advised fund, with Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund.
Vidaklakis Couple Honored
Cretan’s Association “Omonoia's”, in celebration of its 90th anniversary, honored Dr. Nick and Nancy Vidalakis, members of Leadership 100, for their philanthropic and humanitarian work and in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of the Cretan and Hellenic cultures, at its annual dinner-dance on Saturday October 18, 2008 at the “Cretan House” in Astoria.
Join The Celebration
Registration for the 25th Anniversary Celebration Conference at The Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel in Carolina, Puerto Rico February 5-8, 2009 has been a great success with 800 room nights already reserved! Because of the popularity of joining in this true celebration of the extraordinary success of the Leadership 100 mission, we have reserved a limited number of additional rooms. Therefore, if you plan to attend, please call the Leadership 100 office as soon as possible!
Milsap To Perform
Ronnie Milsap, who ranks as the pre-eminent country soul singer of his generation, will highlight the entertainment at the 25th Anniversary Celebration, February 5-8, 2009, at The Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Chimples Honored At Membership Event
George C. Chimples, a Founding Member of Leadership 100, was honored September 26 in Cleveland at a luncheon for Leadership 100 Members and prospects in recognition of his long-time leadership and his 90th birthday, which he will celebrate on October 23. John A. Payiavlas, National Membership Co-Chairman and Chairman Emeritus, hosted the event, which he organized as a tribute to Chimples for his dedication to philanthropy and to the Greek Orthodox Church.
Executive Committee/Board Of Trustees To Meet
The Executive Committee and Board of Trustees will meet Friday, October 24 at the Harvard Club in New York City to review plans for the 25th Anniversary Celebration Conference to take place February 5-8, 2009 in Puerto Rico, to assess progress in the 25th Anniversary National Campaign and to elect members to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.
Leadership Regional Fellowship
The Executive Committee of Leadership 100 has launched “Leadership Regional Fellowship” meetings in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Leadership 100, whose purpose it is to get members of Leadership 100 to get to know each other. The first event, under the Chairmanship of Tim Maniatis, well-known member of Leadership 100 who has organized its conferences for more than a decade, will be a luncheon to take place at 12:30 pm, October 15, 2008 in the Plaza Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton-Washington Hotel, 1150 22nd St., N.W., Washington DC.