NEW YORK – For three decades the Greek Children’s Fund (GCF) has provided help and financial support to children and their families from Greece, Cyprus and the United States seeking medical treatment in America.  At its 30^th anniversary Gala on November 30 the organization announced steps that will take their philanthropic endeavors to the next level.

The GCF announced plans for the establishment of its own housing for the children and their families. $15,000 has been raised so far, most of which has been donated by the Amorgos Society in New York, and a separate individual contribution by the Society’s president, Nikos Gavalas.

At the Gala, which was held in the community center of the Church of St. John the Theologian in Tenafly, Gavalas and the Society’s secretary, Nikitas Theologos, presented GCF with a check for $5000 in behalf of the organization, and a personal check from Gavalas in the amount of $5000.

The President of the Fund, George Kitsios, who was the keynote speaker, expressed gratitude for the donations, noting that they were a catalyst for the fundraising effort to date.

The Gala was held in the same room where thirty years ago the GCF held its first event, and it served as the occasion  for honoring GCF past president Sam Matthews and Elpida Hatzivasiliou , who was one of the first children to benefit from the generosity of the Fund.

Kitsios welcomed and thanked the guests. He offered tribute to the work of GCF founder Stanley Matthews through the decades, and he also praised new members and officers who are determined to build on the solid foundations laid down by Matthews.

Sam Matthews noted that to date GCF has distributed $7 million to help with the treatment of  seven thousand children and he accepted the award on behalf of all who work for this purpose.

Kitsios told The National Herald “Tonight’s event was more successful than expected,” and Gavalas  said “all of us who are here tonight came to support the common, holy purpose,” and Stanley Matthews declared “God is with us, and what we do is God’s work, a work of love and prayer.”

Dino Rallis congratulated the honorees and Kitsios, whom he lauded for sacrificing his time and for his leadership , and praised the dream of acquiring their own facility

Elpida Hatzivasiliou was hospitalized during Christmas 1986. She shared her experience with the guets and, “I’m back here after so many years to say a big thank you for helping me during my difficult time, and for three decades helping children, supporting them, and providing  them the opportunity to dream and hope .”