NEW YORK  – Thirty-three thousand dollars was donated the various causes and institution at the 29^th Annual Charity Ball of Pan Gregorian Enterprises, Inc. (PGEI) Charitable Foundation on November 17 at The Venetian catering center in Garfield , New Jersey .

$10,000 was presented to the Metropolis of New Jersey, $10,000 to St. Basil’s Academy in Garrison, New York, $5,000 to Cyprus Children’s Fund, $5,000 the Elitis Chair in Modern Greek Studies at  Rutgers University and $ 3,000 to the Greek Department of the Ronald McDonald House.

During the gala dinner, Tom Lambros, a former president the Pan Gregorian Enterprises and one of the most remarkable members of the Foundation was presented their annual award.

Stephen M. Vajtay,  the Foundation’s legal advisor and the chairman of the event, spoke about the continuing progress of the organization and praised Lambros for his contributions to the organizations. He then turned over the podium to the evening’s MC, the honorable Nicole Malliotakis, member of the New York State Assembly.

The Greek Consul in New York Manos Koubarakis conveyed the greetings of the Consul General, George Iliopoulos, and congratulated the officers members of the Foundation.

The President of Pan Gregorian Enterprises, Inc., George D. Siamboulis, also voiced pride in the success of the organization and expressed his gratitude to the staff, consultants, members, suppliers and business owners who work hard to organized annual ball.

He declared that the Pan Gregorian stand by and assist people who suffer. He noted the support provided by the Foundation to St. Basil’s Academy and in particular, and said “the smiles of children” make them proud.

James E. Logothetis, the Chairman of the PGEI Charitable Foundation, spoke about its charity work and announced the recipients of this year’s donations. He said the Foundation is a torch of hope for all those in need.

He then praised the honoree, Tom Lambros, for his contributions both to PGEI and the Foundation and described him as the model businessman, husband, father and grandfather.

Consul General of Cyprus Koula Sophianou expressed the joy she felt over her attending the gala for a fourth consecutive year, but she noted the grief in Cyprus and in the community over the of Glafkos Clerides, the former president of Cyprus. She requested a minute’s silence from the guests and expressed her faith that Cyprus will succeed in overcoming the crisis.

Savvas Tsivikos, the president of the Cyprus Children’s Fund and also secretary of the PGEI Board, expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by the Foundation to the Fund.

Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey congratulated and thanked the Pan Gregorians for their donations and their continued love and support for the Metropolis. He emphasized that these gifts are proof that “we are Greeks” and that “we believe in Greece and carry her inside ourselves wherever we go.”

On December 20 PGEI will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its founding.