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Greek Americans from all corners of the nation converged at the annual Hellenic Hearts Gala held at Ellis Preserve, showcasing unwavering support for a burgeoning array of charitable and educational initiatives that now transcend beyond the confines of Philadelphia.
The esteemed Philotimo Award was bestowed upon Michael Bapis, a distinguished Greek-American luminary in wealth management and finance.
John Aivazoglou, President of Hellenic Hearts and a prominent figure in Leadership 100, lauded Michael as a paragon of virtue, emphasizing his exceptional qualities as a father, son, coach, and Vice Chairman of Leadership 100. “Everything he touches, he does correctly.”
The pinnacle of the evening, the Philotimo Award, was a heartfelt tribute to Michael’s outstanding character and contributions. A heartwarming surprise awaited him as his parents made a special trip from Salt Lake City to share in his momentous achievement, joined by a host of friends from New York.
Reflecting on the profound impact of Hellenic Hearts, Bapis commended the organization for its wide-reaching support, spanning from local Philadelphia endeavors to larger-scale initiatives like scholarship programs for children. He underscored the significance of the term “Philotimo,” a quintessentially Greek concept that encapsulates the essence of Greek identity and values, transcending linguistic boundaries.
“I think Philotimo embodies who we are as Greeks and Greek-Americans and Greek Orthodox Christians within the churches, within the diaspora, and that’s probably the most humbling part of the award is the name of it, Philotimo.”
Aivazoglou highlighted the philanthropic success of the Hellenic Hearts Gala, which raised substantial funds for various noble causes, including the Philodoxia scholarship program, Hellenic College Holy Cross, the Ecumenical Bartholomew Foundation, St. Basil’s Academy, the St. Innocent Orphanage in Tijuana, the Oxi Day Foundation, and the National Hellenic Society. A total of $70,000 was promptly allocated to support these vital initiatives, underscoring the organization’s commitment to making a tangible difference in the community.
Founded as a beacon of hope for Hellenes in the Greater Philadelphia area, Hellenic Hearts stands as a testament to the power of altruism and solidarity. The gala not only celebrated a night of philanthropy but also served as a call to action, inspiring attendees to continue their benevolent efforts in shaping a better world for all.
The spirit of giving extended beyond the gala, with Hellenic Hearts board members and supporters coming together for the organization’s annual golf fundraiser at Fieldstone Country Club the following day. As Aivazoglou aptly remarked, this event marked just the beginning of a collective journey towards creating positive change and fostering a brighter future for all.
Hellenic Hearts is focusing on youth through its Educational Guidance Program. With mentoring, networking, admissions counseling, and professional programs, Hellenic Hearts’ Educational Guidance Program (EGP) provides education-to-career guidance to Hellenic-American Youth.
This program aims to promote higher education and increase participants’ professional success.
In 2024, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calamos Investments John Koudounis was honored with the Philotimo Award at the Hellenic Hearts gala.
In 2023, philanthropist Drake Behrakis, Chairman of the National Hellenic Society (NHS), was honored with the Philotimo Award.
In 2022, the first Philotomo Award was presented to Mike Manatos, President of Manatos & Manatos in Washington, D.C.
