Elios Charitable Foundation Raises Funds at Hellenic Charity Ball 2013

The Elios Charitable Foundation continues to raise awareness and funds at this year's Hellenic Charity Ball on Saturday, November 2, 2013. Proceeds from the star-studded event benefit Greek educational and cultural programs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. The biennial gala paid tribute to distinguished arts and entertainment luminaries in the Greek-American community; this year's honorees were San Francisco Symphony trumpet player of 47 years, Chris Bogios and his son, Counting Crows drummer, Jim Bogios; internationally acclaimed tenor, Mario Frangoulis; and American film producer, Stratton Leopold. Former honoree and mistress of ceremonies, Marilu Henner kept guests on their toes, while guests enjoyed a performance by former honoree Constantine Maroulis, traditional Greek dancing, and a surprise duet from Chris and Jim Bogios.

Committed to preserving Hellenism culture and ideals, Elios has granted more than $800,000 to like-minded organizations and projects since the first Hellenic Charity Ball in 1997. Beneficiaries include Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Modern Greek Studies Program at San Francisco State University, the Center for Tebtunis Papyri at UC-Berkeley, Hellenic Heritage Institute, Hellenic Research Fellowship Program at Sacramento State University, Metropolis of San Francisco Folk Dance Cultural Programs, Modern Greek Studies Foundation for the San Francisco Greek Film Festival, Nemea Center at UC-Berkeley, PBS for the documentary The Greek Americans II: Passing the Torch, and United Hellenic American Society.