John C. Tsunis, a prominent attorney, entrepreneur and banker and a member of Leadership 100, was honored by the Greek Division of the Ronald McDonald House New York on December 13 at the 2lst Annual Christmas Dinner of the organization at The New York Athletic Club in Manhattan.

Tsunis, Chairman and CEO of Gold Coast Bank, founded the bank with a group of friends. Based in Islandia, New York, the bank quickly expanded to six branches throughout Long Island, with plans to open a seventh branch in Brooklyn.

Along with Nassau County district Attorney Madeline Singas, Tsunis was honored for his contributions to society. According to the Chairman of the Greek Division, Michael N. Bapis, a member of the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees, the dinner had greater attendance than any other year. Bapis highlighted the work of the Greek Division of the Ronald McDonald House, stressing that essentially it is a home for families of children who have been hit by cancer.

Dr. Ruth C. Browne, the President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House, referred to the overall contribution and response of the Greek American community. X. Cristofer Damianos and John A. Catsimatidis, Jr., also members of Leadership 100, co-chaired the event.

Attending the event were the Consul General of Greece in New York, Konstantinos Koutras, the Consul of Greece in New York, Emmanuel Koubarakis, Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa, Leadership 100 Chairman, George S. Tsandikos, Leadership 100 Executive Director, Paulette Poulos, and other prominent guests.

In his remarks, Tsunis invited the attendees to continue to support the Ronald McDonald House, focusing on the practical and psychological support to the affected children and their families. “We all realize the value and the social mission of a body such as the Greek Division and the Ronald McDonald House, which supports the parents at a difficult time for their children’s life and I have seen the gratitude of these families,” he said.