SAN FRANCISCO – The 13th biennial Hellenic Charity Ball (HCB) held on November 5 at the iconic and elegant Palace Hotel was a resounding sold-out success attracting a capacity black tie guest list of 400 Greek-Americans and Philhellenes from across the country and beyond. Presented by the Elios Charitable Foundation, the event raised more than $600,000 in support of the Foundation’s mission to preserve and foster the values of Hellenic culture.

This year’s Ball honored four exemplary and award-winning celebrities from the arts and entertainment and sports industries: world acclaimed Greek superstar concert singer and recording artist, Nana Mouskouri; legendary roller derby athlete, coach and tv/radio commentator, Nick Scopas; award-winning, multi-platinum record producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music executive, Emanuel Kiriakou; and highly successful film director, producer and screenwriter, including his recent internationally acclaimed film King Otto, Christopher André Marks.

Greek-American television stars, acclaimed authors and past HCB honorees, Marilu Henner (‘Taxi’) and Debbie Matenopoulos, (Hallmark Channel’s ‘Home and Family’) were the evening’s energetic hosts. Frosene Phillips and Elizabeth Grillos were the Ball Co-Directors.

Elios Charitable Foundation President and Chair John Gumas noted that the Hellenic Charity Ball “rallies and unifies Greek-Americans while reaffirming the essence of our being Greek, our philotimo. I’m proud we can celebrate our distinguished honorees and welcome back some of our many past honorees and very special guests from across the country. But of course, the evening is ultimately about raising financial support and awareness of our Hellenic beneficiaries. It is the support of these programs that truly informs our path forward as proud Greek-Americans and Philhellenes.”

ABOUT ELIOS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

At the heart of the not-for-profit Elios Charitable Foundation, the group’s mission is to preserve and foster the values of Hellenic culture. Through its grants and sponsored projects and programs, the Foundation strives to position Elios as a leader in the community and to make a positive impact in the lives of Greek Americans and Philhellenes.

This year’s entertainment featured Mediterranean Soul with Christos Sarantakis on bouzouki, and later, the unbeatable sounds of ‘America’s Best Dance Band,’ HIP Service. The Minoan Cretan Dancers also performed at the event.

Among those present were His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, George Marcus and his wife Judy, Helene Alexopoulos, Constance Stamatiou, and Markos Kounalakis.