Philadelphia, PA – The Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley has announced that Dr. Spiro Spireas will receive the 2015 Eleftheria Medal. The award will be presented the evening before the Greek Independence Day Parade. Dr. Spireas will also march in the parade alongside dignitaries and members of the Greek community.
Dr. Spireas serves as president of the American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHI Foundation) and is an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. He is a member of the Metropolitan Council of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey and a parish council member at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Trenton, NJ, where he served as parish council president from 2009 to 2012.
He is also a member of AHEPA and a steadfast supporter of numerous Hellenic-American organizations, events, and media outlets. Born and raised in Kalamata, Greece, Dr. Spireas has lived in the United States since 1985 and currently resides in New Hope, PA, with his wife, Dr. Amalia Kassapidis-Spireas, a pediatrician, and their two children, Sotiris and Mary.
The Eleftheria Medal Award, established last year, honors individuals who have demonstrated an exceptional lifetime commitment to Hellenism. The inaugural recipient in 2014 was Rev. Dr. Demetrios Constantelos, recognized for his lifelong dedication to Hellenism and faith.
In addition to his community work, Dr. Spireas is the owner, founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Sigmapharm Laboratories, a specialty pharmaceutical company in Bensalem, PA, that develops, manufactures, and markets unique generic and branded pharmaceutical products.
George Horiatis of the Federation described Dr. Spireas as “a friend to the Philadelphia community and a supporter of Hellenic causes,” adding that “he is passionate and committed to seeing that Hellenism flourish worldwide and particularly in the Delaware Valley.”
The Federation will host the annual Greek Independence Day Parade Dinner on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford, NJ. The Greek community is invited to attend this public event, which will honor Dr. Spireas and kick off the weekend’s celebrations.
Event Details
Greek Independence Day Parade Dinner (Open to the Public)
Email: info@hellenicfed.org
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2015
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Adelphia Restaurant, Deptford, NJ
Tickets: $50 general admission / $25 students
Phone: (856) 986-8972