Hellenic Hearts held its 10th annual gala on Sunday, May 31, at Ellis Preserve in Newtown Square, marking a decade of scholarships, emergency aid, and charitable giving through the Philadelphia-based nonprofit.
The evening began with a cocktail reception before guests moved into dinner and the formal program. Supporters, dignitaries, nonprofit representatives, and community members gathered in recognition of the organization’s work in education, philanthropy, and Hellenic and Orthodox life.
One of the central moments came from the four scholarship recipients, who each spoke about their educational journeys and the role the scholarships have played in helping them continue their studies. Their testimonials gave the evening a direct connection to the students Hellenic Hearts supports.
Hellenic Hearts founder and President John Aivazoglou said the organization expected to raise between $100,000 and $125,000 through the gala and related events, with $75,000 in support being distributed immediately.
That support included gifts to Hellenic College Holy Cross and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, along with funding for St. Innocent’s Project and Project Mexico, St. Basil Academy, the Yawkey Foundation, FOCUS Philadelphia, Philodoxia scholarships, and emergency aid.
Aivazoglou also noted that Hellenic Hearts is nearing $500,000 in aid, philanthropy, scholarships, and emergency assistance distributed over its first 10 years. The organization works as a need-based safety net for Hellenes in the Greater Philadelphia area, supporting local families facing hardship while also developing educational programs for young people through mentoring, networking, admissions counseling, and professionalism support.
This year’s Philotimo Award was presented to the Honorable Georgia Athanasopoulos, Honorary Consul General of Panama in Philadelphia and a longtime figure in the city’s diplomatic and Greek Orthodox circles. Aivazoglou noted during the program that Athanasopoulos is the first woman and the first recipient from Philadelphia to receive the award.
Athanasopoulos spoke about receiving the honor as something unexpected and deeply personal. She connected her public service to her Greek heritage, saying her father taught her pride in her roots and the responsibility of representing one’s country through service. She also spoke about work connected to the Children’s Hospital of Panama, trade missions, and school projects in remote and underserved areas.
Her three children addressed the crowd as well, speaking about their mother’s achievements, character, and what she has meant to them.
The evening’s Panamanian tribute reflected Athanasopoulos’ connection to Panama and her years of service as Honorary Consul General in Philadelphia. The program placed that connection alongside her Greek heritage and her work in the Philadelphia community, showing how her public service has moved across cultures, institutions, and causes.
A group of dancers and bongo players dressed in traditional attire accompanied part of the program, bringing a Panamanian cultural element to the gala. Greek music was also played by DJ Taso, reflecting the two communities that framed the night.
Additional remarks were offered by Aivazoglou; board member Louie Karapanagiotides; Michael Angelos, who works with the organization’s Philodoxia scholarship efforts; Nick Tsingas, a local attorney and close family friend of Athanasopoulos; and Mike Manatos of The Hellenic Initiative, a previous Hellenic Hearts Philotimo Award recipient.
Representatives from several nonprofit organizations connected to the evening’s giving were also present, including groups supported through the organization’s scholarship, emergency aid, education, faith, and humanitarian efforts.
The 10th annual gala brought Hellenic Hearts’ first decade into view through the students who shared their stories, the honoree whose life connected Greece, Philadelphia, and Panama, and the charitable work the organization continues to support.