The Hellenic Initiative’s 3rd Annual London Event recognizing the work of ELPIDA Youth and the Home Project with a special performance by Ms. Anna Vissi sold out event raises over 250,000 GBP to fund THI’s work in Greece.
Over 380 international guests attended THI’s Third Annual Gala at the Dorchester Hotel in London on May 16th. The sold out crowd raised more than 250,000 GBP to fund THI’s philanthropic and economic development work in Greece.
Event Co-chairs Nikos Stathopoulos, Constantine Logothetis and Princess Tatiana thanked the crowd for their generous support. THI Board President, George Stamas introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Mr. Muhtar Kent, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coca Cola Company and a founding member of THI. Mr. Kent spoke of Coca Colas’ commitment to the economic recovery of Greece and their proud involvement in THI’s Regeneration Program in Greece.
There were two honorees for the evening. The first was ELPIDA Youth, founded in 2015 by a group of young members of the ELPIDA organization. It raises awareness and supports the psychological wellbeing of children suffering from neoplastic diseases in Greece. Princess Tatiana, one of THI’s International Ambassadors, accepted the award on their behalf.
The second honoree was The HOME Project, a unifying initiative set up by the Libra Group in response to the global refugee crisis and to address the needs of refugee children who have arrived in Greece alone. The HOME Project exists to bring them to safe haven by providing security, dignity, education and safe living conditions. Ms. Sofia Kouvelaki, The Home Project’s Executive Director, accepted the award on their behalf.
International recording star, Ms. Anna Vissi and her band, gave a very special performance and entertained the sold out crowd until after midnight.
A silent auction with fantastic prizes including stay at luxury Greek hotels, like Hotel Grande Bretagne, The New Hotel, Kensho in Mykonos and Aria Hotels along with jewelry from LALAoUNIS, Katramopoulos and Diane Kordas and one of a kind items from Blaiz and MePe Greece raised over 34,000 GBP. Greek food start-up sensation Carpo provided gift bags for all those in attendance.
Since its founding in 2012, THI has distributed over $15 million to support direct crisis relief and our programs supporting entrepreneurship and economic development.