Cherry Hill, NJ – Fundraising efforts for the St. Nicholas Shrine continued this weekend at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox church. Following Sunday services, the St. Irene Ladies Philoptochos Society hosted its annual membership luncheon. The event was titled, “Our Women in Leadership” and was highlighted by speakers, Catherine Avgiris (Executive Vice President and CFO of Comcast Cable) and Eleni Kousoulis, (Esquire, Assistant Federal Public Defender).

Avgeris sighted her career at Comcast, where she has been for some 24 years and the journey to the current position she holds. she gave credit to her father who immigrated from Constantinople Turkey and rooted her with good work ethics. He played a definitive role in her childhood and her career path.

Eleni Kousoulis spoke and credited her family, including her mother and father’s immigrant journey here in America. She sighted them as role models at home and running the family business as key factors and examples she would later use in her career path as a public defender in Delaware. Her sister and best friend Danielle, played a critical role as well in her speech. She sighted her life in the community, at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox church, as well as her position at Cantor Fitzgerald.

Following a short intermission, Alexis Limberakis, (national board member and Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos Vice President) brought us up to date on fundraising efforts at the Saint Nicholas GOC and National Shrine at the World Trade Center.