On Saturday, February 6, 2021, the Pythagoras Children’s Academy held their first ever Virtual Winter Gala fundraiser to help continue their mission of preserving Orthodoxy and Hellenism while educating its students. The online gala raised over $27,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales and the online raffle, which exceeded the school’s expectations.
The evening began with PCA students welcoming attendees to the virtual event and included an opening prayer from the Very Reverend Archimandrite Dionysios Anagnostopoulos, Ieratikos Proistamenos at the church of St. Demetrios in Elmhurst, and greetings from PCA School Board President Kalina Giannakopoulos, and school co-directors Pam Kostopoulos and Staci Tagaris-Ward. Next, the youth came back into the spotlight via a virtual tour of the school with commentary from PCA teachers Peggy Zervas and Pam Kostopoulos. Basile the Comedian then took over the show and an evening of pleasant banter between him and some of the PCA parents ensued. Basile also took time to answer questions that came through via the chat room. The evening culminated with Basile announcing this year’s raffle winners. PCA raffled off eight unique gift baskets, valued from $420 up to $850.
“Going into a first-time virtual event, we were not sure what to expect, but are so excited that it was so successful,” said PCA School Board President Kalina Giannakopoulos. “Although we missed the aspect of being in person and socializing, it was great to spend an evening with each other with some much-needed comic relief from Basile—the prosecco and grazing table charcuterie did not hurt either.”
Though the virtual gala is over, people can watch the event below and still donate to this worthy institution here.
Funds from the virtual gala will help provide a new curriculum for core subjects, Wi-Fi system upgrades supporting Chromebook usage across the upper grade levels, room renovations, teacher leadership programs and professional development, and continued building safety measures.
A special thank you to the sponsors of PCA’s Virtual Winter Gala. Platinum Sponsors: John and Toula Hilaris; Gold Sponsors: Angelo and Kathy Daklaras, Ergoseal, Naper Grove Vision Care, The Tagaris Family, and St. Demetrios Philoptochos; Silver Sponsors: BrightLamp Sales Solutions, LLC, Dion Dimitrakakos Family, Dean and Kalina Giannakopoulos, Elias and Mary Giannakopoulos, MDG Builders Inc., Alexandra Pashos Realtor/Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Chicago, Eufstathia Panousis, Poor Boy; Bronze Sponsors: Lena Angelos, Bill’s Place, Colovos Soupos Group/RE/MAX Destiny RE/MAX Commercial, Fournier Law Firm, Ltd., Evan Halkias, John and Elena Manos, Minos Imported Foods, Pythagoras Children’s Academy PPO, Mr. and Mrs. George Rackos; Red Apple Pancake House, and Vicki Theodos; and Patron Sponsors: Micki Ansted and Gary Soltys, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Barkoulies, Mike and Demetra Bolis, Kimberly Clayton and Matt McKay, Peter and Harula Eliopoulos, Christina Hasapis, Dina Jason, Ioannis Konstantinou and Family, Pam Kostopoulos and Staci Tagaris-Ward, Bessie Koursaris, Manaves Appraisals, Inc., Vasilios and Renee Matsas, Alex Magdalinos, Sevasti Tagaris, and Dominick Vassos and Family.
About Pythagoras Children’s Academy:
Pythagoras Children’s Academy’s mission is to provide students with the highest quality elementary education, based on strong academic, spiritual and cultural foundations, rooted in Orthodoxy and Hellenism. Pythagoras Children’s Academy is the only institution of its kind in Chicago’s western suburbs. For more information, please visit www.pythagoraschildrensacademy.org
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For More Information About the Event, Contact:
Alexandra Pashos | (708) 257-2992 | alexandrapashos@gmail.com
Jenny Mitropoulos | (630) 973-9293 | jennymitropoulos@hotmail.com