SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA AUXILIARY
20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
Southern California Auxiliary celebrated its 20th anniversary Saturday, November 5th, with a multi-faceted evening of entertainment. More than 300 guests gathered at USC's Town and Gown to honor Joan and Chris W. Caras and Agopie and Harry L. Pappas.
The evening's festivities began with a reception featuring the premiere exhibit of 28 rare icons from the Institute Icon Collection. Also featured in the exhibit was an original painting of the Archangel Michael by the Very Reverend Michael Courey of St. Katherine's in Redondo Beach, CA.
Twenty years of the Auxiliary's highlights and unique fundraisers were chronicled by
Vergie Papalexis and
Val Lambros, M.D. in a slide show presentation.
Master of Ceremonies
Nick Halikis, M.D. presented co-presidents
Rosalind Halikis and
Christine Haidos who welcomed guests and, in turn, thanked and presented the evening's co-chairmen
Stephanie Duncan and
Bess Pappas.In his opening address
His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas, Director of the Institute, emphasized the need for academic
institutions such as the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute for providing a better understanding of the world's diverse religions.
Recognizing their 20 years of dedication to the Auxiliary, the
Very Reverend Father Spencer Kezios and the
Very Reverend Father Thomas Paris, chairman of the PAOI board of trustees, presented founder of the organization
Helen Lambros and first president
Sophie Mastor with special awards of appreciation.
A recently completed film about the institute, produced by
Michele Patzakis Prappas, and narrated by
His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas and
Mrs. Prappas clarified the purpose of PAOI and its activities.
"The Three Waiters" made a surprise appearance delighting guests with their operatic voices and comedic dialogue.
Soprano Michele Prappas joined the "Italian" tenor for a very moving rendition of
The Prayer.
Helen Lambros produced and coordinated memorable tributes to the evening's honorees.
MC Nick Halikis observed that both
Chris Caras and
Harry Pappas are Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Order of Saint Andrew, members of Leadership 100 and had served for many years on the PAOI
board of trustees.
Chris Caras has had a lifelong passion for cars and worked on cars while attending UCLA where he graduated with a degree in accounting. He ran his own car muffler business from 1953 - 1965. His keen business sense led to real estate development that he and Joan pursue to this day. Chris married the former
Joan Georggin of San Diego and they have been blessed with three children and seven grandchildren.
Among their philanthropic efforts, Chris and Joan are benefactors of Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center where they have established an endowment for a state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Facility. Their home has been open for hosting fundraising events for the American Cancer Society "Beach Cities."
A musical tribute to the Caras roots in the region of the Soudena, near Kalavryta, in the Peloponnese was performed by a fellow Soudenioti
George Nickols singing
To Gaidouraki. He was accompanied on clarinet by his son
Nicholas Nickols, M.D.Receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering at the University of California at Berkeley,
Harry Pappas continued his graduate work at Caltech.
Harry began his career as an engineering consultant working on the completing of the Liberty Ship Fleet. He became an instructor for naval and air force pilots, teaching them the efficient use of radar. Harry was, in effect, one of the early professors of radar for pilots during WWII. With the war ending, Harry returned to Los Angeles and formed California Produce Wholesalers now a family business.
Harry married the former
Agopie Poulos of Phoenix and they have been blessed with three children and many grandchildren. Harry and Agopie are co-founders of the Telly Savalas Hellenic Golf Classic and continue their support of this fundraiser.
Throughout the years they have donated their select produce to local parishes for festivals, camps and other charitable activities.
A beautiful rendition of
Tha Se Paro Na Figoume, commemorating the Pappas's courtship was performed by
Michele Prappas, soprano, and
Nick Halikis on the guitar.
This very successful event produced a net profit of almost $90,000.
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Stephanie and Dr. Jan Duncan once again hosted SCA members, recent honorees Joan and Chris W. Caras and Agopie and Harry L. Pappas and guests at an elegant Christmas celebration. The festivities included a sentimental holiday medley by a talented vocal trio and pianist followed by a sumptuous multi-course dinner accompanied by rare Italian wines. His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas and the Very Reverend Father Spencer Kezios honored everyone with their presence. Guests lingered happily reminiscing about the recent fundraiser.
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Outreach Chairman Michele Patzakis Prappas is to be congratulated on completion of Southern California Auxiliary's outreach video which is on the PAOI website at this time. After 2 years of planning and hard work Michele has achieved one of the main goals for outreach. SCA thanks Caroline Ross Solberg and Randall Michael Tobin for their technical support on this project and extends its appreciation to His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas for his guidance and to William Zimmerman for his assistance.
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At the March 27, 21012 SCA meeting, Co-Presidents Christine Haidos and Rosalind Halikis extended a warm welcome to Southern California Auxiliary's new members.
They are
Laura Burge of San Marino,
Stacia Counelis of Riverside,
Danai Katsufrakis of Santa Monica,
Georgia Kezios of Downey,
Barbara Kallins Matty of San Juan Capistrano and
Eleni Lambros McCaslin of Laguna Beach.
