Greek Children's Fund Holds Greek Night At Shea

Photos Tony Barsamian (L. to r.) Among those attending Greek Night at Shea Stadium were Claire Gianaris, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris, Barbara Kolis Miciotta, Event Co-Chair Lena Varis; GCF Vice President Sam S. Matthews; Jason Siedman, Bryan McGuire, Lori Lacastro and Aspasia Gounaris of Schneider Children's Hospital, and GCF Member Irene Kehayas.

The Greek Children's Fund (GCF) hosted its fifth annual Greek Night at Shea Stadium on Friday June 1. The GCF is a not-for-profit philanthropic organization whose funds benefit Greek, Cypriot and Greek-American children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

More than 3,500 Hellenes came to celebrate Greek Heritage Day at Shea Stadium. This event is held annually to raise money for pediatric patients who need assistance. Co-chairs of the event were Lena Varis and Nick Pavlou, members of the Greek Children's Fund.

Before the New York Mets played the Arizona Diamondbacks, dancers from St. George Piscataway Goya of New Jersey, the Chian Federation of Astoria, the William Spyropoulos School of Flushing, and the St. Demetrios Dance group from Astoria, all in traditional costumes, performed folk dances on the field.

On hand for Greek Night at Shea (l.to r.) were Costas Eliades, Lena Varis, Betsy Sideris, Dimitri Hilas, Anjelica Mantikas, Claire Gianaris, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris, GCF Vice President Sam S. Matthews, Barbara Kolis Miciotta, Jason Siedman and Bryan McGuire.

The Greek Children's Fund honored individuals from the community who have been great supporters of the organization and presented them with the Mets Spirit award. Among the honorees were Jason Siedman, Bryan McGuire, Lori Lacastro and Aspasia Gounari, all representatives of Schneider Children's Hospital. The GCF is affiliated with Schneider Children's Hospital and has set up an endowment fund with the hospital to help children who need assistance.

Other honorees included Costas Eliades, member of the St. Demetrios Cathedral Parish Council in Astoria; Demetra Gianakopoulos, director of St. Demetrios Goya; Betsy Sideris, assistant principal of St. Katherines of St. Demetrios, Astoria; Barbara Kolis Miciotta, Anjelica Mantikas and Dimitri Hilas, members of the St. Barbara's Agape Group in Merrick; Bill Paloympis from the Diplatanos Society; Anna Karacostas, president of the William Spyropoulos PTA; Owen and Peggy Neubauer; Kristen Villano; Katie Compofiori, and two youngsters, Nicholas Kehayas and Peter Drakopoulos.

A great supporter of the Greek Children's Fund, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris posed with a Mets' Billy Wagner during the Greek celebration before the game

Assemblymember Michael Gianaris and his wife, Claire, who are great supporters of the GCF, attended the event and were honored by the organization on the field. Stanley Matthews, founder of the Greek Children's Fund, could not attend the event; however, his son, GCF Vice President Sam S. Matthews, was present.

After the dances, almost 100 Boy Scouts, led by color guards from Boy Scout Pack No. 340 and Brownie Troops Nos. 502, and 473 from Monroe, New York, paraded on the field holding the American, Greek and Cypriot flags. The event marked the first time the Greek and Cypriot flags were displayed together in Shea Stadium.

The Greek festivities continued throughout the night as Mr. Met danced to Greek music on the dugout in the second inning with Demi Varis, Nicole Papagiannakis, Kosta Rosvoglou, Georgia Karacosta and Dennis Bizios, all dancers from the William Spyropoulos School. In the seventh inning stretch, Bouzouki players played "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" as the crowds cheered.

The event raised more than $20,000 and again was well supported by the Greek community. "We are here this evening not only as GCF members but also as Hellenes, promoting our culture and displaying our Hellenic pride as Greeks, joining together this evening to raise money for the children who really need our help," Varis said.

Pavlou added, "My biggest satisfaction this evening comes from the children who take part in the event every year. Seeing their eyes light up and the smiles on their faces as they enter the field to dance is the most rewarding experience of all."

The Greek Children's Fund, founded by Greek American businessman Stanley Matthews, has assisted families in need for the last 24 years. Since its inception, the GCF has established strong ties with philanthropic institutions, private organizations and businesses in the tri-state area which provide the GCF with invaluable assistance and support.

Next December the GCF fund will celebrate its 25th anniversary at the Teaneck Marriott Hotel at Glenpointe. Individuals who have contributed their services and have volunteered their time assisting the organization for the past quarter-century will be honored.

The GCF recently opened a satellite office at 31-17 23rd Ave. in Astoria and is working closely with Schneider Children's Hospital to bring the best care to pediatric patients who need assistance.