On the eve of the Archangel Michael’s Greek Orthodox Church, of Port Washington, NY, benefit concert, starring Greek artist George Dalaras, at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, a lavish dinner reception was offered at the Central Park’s Boathouse restaurant (owned by parish member Dean Poll) honoring Archbishop Demetrios, Leonard & Penelope Zangas, Mike & Libby Angeliades, Peter & Kathy Mesologites, Perry & Georgia Alexiou and Katherine L. Peters (posthumously) with the Hellenic Thread Award “in recognition of their commitment and support in strengthening and perpetuating the threads of our Greek Orhtodox Faith and Hellenic ideals through words, actions and deeds,” as Protopresbyter Dennis Strouzas, along with Presbyter Evan Evangelidis stated.

Fr. Strouzas went on to declare that “we are deeply grateful and indebted to the persevering and exemplary efforts of Tammy Ashley, Michael Kavourias, Anne Procop and Demetrios Ziozis, co-chairpersons of this event, as well as the members of the Hellenic Thread committee. This gathering tonight and the concert that will take place tomorrow are a tribute to their hard work, synergy and generosity. I also take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their financial support. Believe me when I say we could not have done this without you.”

Demetrios Ziozis, co-chairperson and the leading coordinator of the effort, the first in its kind in New York, also thanked “a group of parishioners from the St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Braintree, Massachusetts, that offered a model to follow. A special note of appreciation to Cathy Sakellaris, Co-Chairperson of the "Pops Goes Hellenic" event, for all of her help and encouragement. Taking the lead from them it is out hope to share our fundraising knowledge and experiences in providing resources that will be available to guide others in similar projects.”

The Hellenic Thread is an organization within the Archangel Michael Parish that was established in order to offer “acknowledgement and celebration of the many and varied contributions of those first generations that came (to the US) with nothing other than the clothes they were wearing and the willingness and desire to succeed in this great country. Also, to celebrate the vibrant and strong threads of democracy, culture, the arts and sciences; threads that have endured the test of time and have proven to be resilient and vibrant. Add these to the American tapestry and you have a work of art that depicts all that is good in out nation and society.