The 13th biennial Hellenic Charity Ball (HCB) recently held on Saturday, November 5 at the iconic Palace Hotel, was a sold-out success with a capacity black tie guest list of 400 Greek-Americans and Philhellenes from across the country. Presented by the Elios Charitable Foundation, more than $600,000 was raised in support of the Foundation’s mission to preserve and foster the values of Hellenic culture.
Elios Charitable Foundation President and Chair John Gumas commented, “The idea of the Elios Charitable Foundation was the brilliant idea of George Marcus over 25 years ago, who wanted to create an opportunity for distinguished Greek Americans to get together to promote the idea of Hellenism and notable achievements of Greek culture with a focus on the youth. The formation of the Bay Area’s Elios Foundation led to the establishment of the National Hellenic Society furthering the Greek idea of philotimo, the idea of giving back, caring, sharing and doing the right thing. Philotimo is embedded in the DNA of all Greeks and tonight’s Charity Ball gives expression to this ancient idea.”
This year’s Ball honored four exemplary and award-winning celebrities from the arts & entertainment and sports industries: world acclaimed Greek superstar concert singer and recording artist, Nana Mouskouri; legendary roller derby athlete, coach and tv/radio commentator, Nick Scopas; award-winning, multi-platinum record producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music executive, Emanuel Kiriakou; and highly successful film director, producer and screenwriter, including his recent internationally acclaimed film King Otto, Christopher André Marks.
Greek-American television stars, acclaimed authors and past HCB honorees, Marilu Henner (“Taxi”) and Debbie Matenopoulos, (Hallmark Channel’s “Home and Family”) were the evening’s energetic hosts. Frosene Phillips and Elizabeth Grillos were the Ball Co-Directors.
Celebrity auctioneer Liam Mayclem led a live auction that tempted the audience to express their generous support of several ultra-luxury experiences and most importantly, to help fund-a-future for several college-age students to attend the National Hellenic Society’s Heritage Greece programs in 2023 and 2024.
www.elios.org
Photography: DREW ALTIZER