On Saturday, February 6, 2021, the Pythagoras Children’s Academy held their first ever Virtual Winter Gala fundraiser to help continue their mission of preserving Orthodoxy and Hellenism while educating its students. The online gala raised over $27,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales and the online raffle, which exceeded the school’s expectations.
The evening began with PCA students welcoming attendees to the virtual event and included an opening prayer from the Very Reverend Archimandrite Dionysios Anagnostopoulos, Ieratikos Proistamenos at the church of St. Demetrios in Elmhurst, and greetings from PCA School Board President Kalina Giannakopoulos, and school co-directors Pam Kostopoulos and Staci Tagaris-Ward. Next, the youth came back into the spotlight via a virtual tour of the school with commentary from PCA teachers Peggy Zervas and Pam Kostopoulos. Basile the Comedian then took over the show and an evening of pleasant banter between him and some of the PCA parents ensued. Basile also took time to answer questions that came through via the chat room. The evening culminated with Basile announcing this year’s raffle winners. PCA raffled off eight unique gift baskets, valued from $420 up to $850.
“Going into a first-time virtual event, we were not sure what to expect, but are so excited that it was so successful,” said PCA School Board President Kalina Giannakopoulos. “Although we missed the aspect of being in person and socializing, it was great to spend an evening with each other with some much-needed comic relief from Basile—the prosecco and grazing table charcuterie did not hurt either.”
Though the virtual gala is over, people can watch the event below and still donate to this worthy institution here.